Orchestration Manager for Metering Node Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility metering systems face challenges in scalability and redundancy, particularly in advanced metering infrastructure environments, where existing technologies struggle to efficiently manage communication servers and data collection across a large number of meters, leading to inefficiencies in data retrieval and exception reporting.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an orchestration manager that distributes utility meter data communications functionality across multiple servers, utilizing a master relay to register and authenticate communication nodes, assign communication functionality, and periodically rebalance server loads, ensuring efficient data collection and redistribution of nodes from failed servers to active ones, in accordance with the ANSI C12.22 protocol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If communication functionality is concentrated on single servers, then system simplicity is maintained, but scalability and redundancy are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments communication functionality by distributing nodes across multiple communication servers (212, 214, 216) within the collection engine. Each server independently manages subsets of nodes, enabling horizontal scaling without increasing overall system complexity. The orchestration manager (220) coordinates these segmented servers, maintaining simplicity through centralized control of the segmentation strategy.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection engine is designed as a multi-functional system that can dynamically allocate nodes across multiple communication servers based on load conditions. The orchestration manager provides universal control capabilities, handling node assignment, load balancing, and failure recovery across diverse server configurations, making the system adaptable to varying scalability requirements.
2Reliability
If more communication servers are deployed, then redundancy and scalability improve, but data collection efficiency deteriorates due to increased complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The orchestration manager implements feedback mechanisms by periodically evaluating server load conditions and dynamically rebalancing node assignments. When servers experience varying workloads or failures, the system receives feedback about current state and automatically redistributes nodes to maintain optimal data collection efficiency across the redundant server infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its configuration by allowing the orchestration manager to reassign nodes between communication servers based on real-time conditions. This dynamic capability enables the system to maintain high data collection efficiency despite having multiple servers for redundancy, as the node distribution can be optimized continuously rather than remaining static.
3Ease of operation
If nodes are statically assigned to servers, then system operation is simplified, but load balancing and exception reporting efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The orchestration manager implements periodic load evaluation and node rebalancing operations. At scheduled intervals, the system assesses server conditions and redistributes nodes to maintain optimal performance. This periodic action maintains operational simplicity by using predictable, scheduled adjustments rather than continuous complex reallocation, while still improving exception reporting efficiency through regular load optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are apparatus and methodology subject matters for controlling the allocation of system nodes to a variable number of communication servers in an Advanced Metering System (AMS). An Orchestration Manager is provided through which all requests for end-device communications are routed. The Orchestration Manager periodically rebalances node assignments to reallocate nodes among communication servers in order to maintain data collection efficiency and in order to redistribute end devices from a failed communication server, or to otherwise adjust for the addition of a newly activated communication server.