Virtual-Physical Server Correlation via Load Pattern Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing configuration information management systems struggle to accurately identify and manage the dependency relationship between virtual servers and physical servers, especially when no management log exists or is incorrect, due to the virtual server's behavior mimicking the physical server, making it difficult to recognize the virtual server's OS and application, and requiring complex manual processes for integration and automation.
Innovation Solution
A configuration information management server with a server information collecting function and a configuration information correlating function that measures server loads and stores correspondence relationships between physical and virtual servers, using a predetermined load pattern to identify virtual servers running on physical servers, even without management logs or correct logging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a virtual server is configured to behave in the same manner as a physical server, then the virtual server can be utilized without regard to the difference between virtual and physical servers, but it becomes impossible to externally and directly identify the dependency relationship between the virtual server and the physical server
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a configuration information management server as an intermediary that collects configuration information from both the virtual server and physical server, and a correlation information generation unit that analyzes this information to identify dependency relationships. This intermediary approach allows the system to maintain virtual server compatibility while enabling external identification of dependency relationships through automated analysis of configuration data.
2Measurement precision
If information of the virtual server is obtained through the server virtualization function, then it is possible to discriminate virtual servers, but it becomes impossible to identify which virtual server is running on which physical server
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges configuration information from multiple sources including the virtual server, physical server, and server virtualization function into a unified configuration information database. By combining these information sources and analyzing them together through the correlation information generation unit, the system can identify both the virtual server identity and its correspondence to the physical server, overcoming the limitation of obtaining information from a single source.
3Loss of information
If manual log-in processing is performed to collect information from the virtual server, then configuration information can be obtained, but automation becomes difficult and security management is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the virtual server and physical server automatically send their configuration information to the configuration information management server without requiring manual log-in. This automated self-service approach eliminates the need for user accounts and manual intervention, achieving full automation while maintaining security by using automated protocols instead of authentication-based manual processes.
4Ease of operation
If the server virtualization integrated management function is used to manage virtual servers, then integrated management is achieved, but it becomes necessary to newly set up the function when operations are executed outside the management function or when virtual servers are added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal configuration information management system that can handle multiple scenarios including virtual servers managed by server virtualization functions, virtual servers added externally, and operations executed outside the management function. By designing the system to collect and analyze configuration information from various sources regardless of how the virtual server was created or managed, it eliminates the need to set up separate management functions for different scenarios, achieving versatility without increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A configuration information management server that can correlate information collected from a virtual server to information collected from a physical server is provided. More specifically, when test load corresponding to a characteristic load pattern is generated in a server whose dependency relationship is to be analyzed, the configuration information management server refers to load information collected from all servers of a system, identifies a server in which the characteristic load pattern is measured, and thereby identifies a physical server and a virtual server having a dependency relationship, obtains correspondence of the physical server information and the virtual server information, and stores it in a configuration information management database.