Server Capacity Verification via Observer Claw
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtualized server environments, existing systems fail to reliably and securely verify compliance with agreed-upon license agreements regarding server capacity, as they can be manipulated by service providers with opposing interests, leading to potential underprovisioning or incorrect reporting of capacity.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that combines in-system and external observers using a platform observer and an external observer system, where measurements are securely communicated and verified using cryptographic techniques and trusted platform modules to ensure the accuracy and integrity of capacity measurements, forming an 'observer claw' to prevent manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If in-system observers are used to monitor service behaviour, then capacity measurement is obtained, but the observers can be tricked to report wrongly due to opposing interests between provider and customer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external observer system as an intermediary between the in-system observer and the customer. This external observer independently verifies the service capacity and compares it with the reported measurements, acting as a mediator that prevents the provider from manipulating the measurement system while still obtaining accurate capacity data
2Reliability
If external observers perform active capacity measurements, then verification is achieved, but server capacity is wasted during monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial verification where the external observer does not perform full active capacity measurements but instead uses selective sampling and comparison with in-system observer data. This partial action approach provides sufficient verification for license agreement compliance without fully utilizing server capacity for monitoring purposes
3Productivity
If passive monitoring with data collection is used, then capacity estimation is obtained, but direct verification of agreed capacity is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges passive data collection from the external observer with active measurements from the in-system observer. By combining these two approaches, the system achieves both efficient resource usage (no capacity waste from pure passive monitoring) and accurate verification (through the active measurement component that directly tests capacity)
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of determining an operational attribute of a server executed on a first execution platform and providing a service, the method comprising: performing a measurement indicative of an operational attribute of the server, wherein the measurement is performed by a platform observer system executed on said first execution platform; communicating a result of said measurement to an external observer system; wherein the communicating comprises protecting secrecy of the communicated result; verifying, by the external observer system, that the received measurement result is indicative of a measurement performed on said server.