Server Consolidation Using Minimum Utilization Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing and consolidating large numbers of servers in enterprises is cumbersome and costly, with existing methods lacking efficiency in identifying and eliminating underutilized servers to reduce the total server count and lower electricity costs.
Innovation Solution
A system that compiles an initial server list based on CPU utilization, applies rating factors to determine target and base servers, and executes consolidation scenarios to facilitate the transfer of tasks from underutilized servers to more powerful ones, thereby reducing the overall server count and optimizing resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If server consolidation is performed without minimum utilization threshold, then more servers can be eliminated to reduce total server count, but noise from low-utilization servers complicates consolidation decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a minimum utilization threshold parameter (e.g., 10%) to filter servers before consolidation analysis. This parameter change separates servers into target candidates (below threshold) and base servers (above threshold), simplifying consolidation decisions by eliminating noise from low-utilization servers and focusing only on appropriate consolidation scenarios.
2Measurement precision
If rating factors are applied to determine target and base servers, then consolidation accuracy is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments servers into distinct categories (target servers and base servers) based on multiple rating factors including CPU utilization, server role, operating system, location, and hardware technology. This segmentation approach improves selection accuracy by systematically evaluating multiple criteria while organizing the analysis process into manageable segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multiple rating parameters (CPU utilization, server role, OS, location, hardware technology) to comprehensively evaluate servers for consolidation. These parameter changes enable precise identification of target and base servers by considering various dimensions of server characteristics and utilization patterns.
3Productivity
If consolidation scenarios are systematically identified and analyzed, then resource utilization is optimized, but time and computational resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary normalization of all timeframes to a specified time zone and pre-evaluates timeframes as prime shift or non-prime shift before consolidation analysis. This preliminary action standardizes data and prepares servers for rating factor application, reducing computational complexity and time consumption during the actual consolidation scenario identification.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and methods for server consolidation are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention allow consolidation of less used technology infrastructure resulting in lower total server count. A target server list and a base server list are determined by examining CPU utilization and also by applying rating factors. The target server list includes target servers to be eliminated by transferring tasks to base servers in the base server list. Consolidation scenarios can then be identified to produce a consolidated server utilization analysis to facilitate the consolidating of interconnected servers. In at least some embodiments, the rating factors can include a minimum utilization threshold, for example, a threshold of ten percent utilization. Other factors can include server environment, server role, operating system, server location, and model technology, for example, whether the specific server hardware technology is declining or outdated.