Sensor Network for Virtual Resource Location Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large-scale cloud computing environments, managing the dynamic locations of physical and virtual machines is challenging due to frequent re-deployment and movement, leading to difficulties in accurately tracking and locating these resources, with existing methods like RFID-based systems being limited in scope and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A network of sensors is deployed on servers to communicate and store location information, enabling efficient searching and management of virtual resources by receiving and forwarding search requests and returning location information within a communication network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RFID-based tracking methods are used to locate physical servers, then location tracking capability is provided, but the system cannot track virtual machines and has limited operating distance
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor network system performs multiple functions: it tracks both physical servers and virtual machines, provides location information for resource management, and supports dynamic environments. The sensors can identify physical servers through their locations and virtual machines through their identifiers, making the system universally applicable to both types of resources without requiring separate tracking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sensor network as an intermediary layer between the management system and the computed resources. Sensors deployed on physical servers act as intermediaries that collect location information and communicate with virtual machine management systems, enabling indirect tracking of virtual machines without requiring direct RFID tags on them.
2Loss of information
If manual recording of server locations is performed, then location information can be maintained, but the burden on managers increases significantly in large-scale environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service location tracking where sensors automatically collect, store, and communicate location information without human intervention. Sensors on physical servers autonomously maintain location data and make it available to management systems, eliminating the need for manual recording while ensuring continuous accuracy even during server movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor network provides continuous feedback on location information to management systems. Sensors periodically update their location data and respond to queries in real-time, ensuring that management systems always have current location information without requiring manual updates or interventions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If physical servers are frequently moved for re-deployment, then resource flexibility is improved, but location tracking accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor network system is designed to be dynamic and adaptive to server movements. When physical servers are moved, their sensors automatically detect the new location and update the tracking system in real-time. The system accommodates frequent re-deployments without losing tracking accuracy because it continuously monitors and updates location information rather than relying on static records.
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism is provided for searching a virtual resource in a large scale computing system environment. The virtual resource is deployed on at least one server. Each server is coupled to a sensor and communicates with the sensor. The sensors communicate with each other and consist of a communication network. Each sensor stores an identifier of a virtual resource deployed in a server connected with the sensor and the location information of the sensor itself. The mechanism receives a searching request for a virtual resource by the at least one sensor, the searching request containing an identifier of the virtual resource being searched; forwards the searching request in the communication network of the sensors; and returns a location information of a sensor storing the identifier of the virtual resource by the sensor itself.