Server Takeover via Virtual Hardware Configuration Matching

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing server systems face inefficiencies in hardware resource utilization and take-over processes when dealing with different hardware configurations, leading to potential failures in OS startup and licensing constraints, especially when trying to switch operations from a physical server to another with varying configurations.

Innovation Solution

A server system with a local management computer that compares and matches hardware configurations between current and backup servers, determining the possibility of take-over and allocating backup servers based on configuration matching rates and concealment policies to efficiently utilize hardware resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If server take-over is performed by matching physical hardware configurations, then take-over reliability is improved, but hardware resource utilization efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetake-over reliabilityVSAvoidhardware resource utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a virtual hardware configuration copy that mirrors the original server's hardware setup. This virtual configuration is presented to the operating system during take-over, allowing the OS to operate as if on the original hardware while the physical underlying hardware can differ. This resolves the contradiction by decoupling OS requirements from physical hardware constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a virtualization layer as an intermediary between the physical hardware and the operating system. This layer abstracts the hardware differences and presents a unified, matched configuration to the OS, enabling take-over across different physical hardware while maintaining compatibility. The intermediary handles the translation and adaptation needed to resolve the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If server take-over is performed by concealing hardware configuration differences, then adaptability is improved, but hardware resource utilization efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware configuration adaptabilityVSAvoidhardware resource utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a virtual hardware configuration copy that mirrors the original server's hardware setup. This virtual configuration is presented to the operating system during take-over, allowing the OS to operate as if on the original hardware while the physical underlying hardware can differ. This resolves the contradiction by decoupling OS requirements from physical hardware constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The invention dynamically changes the hardware configuration parameters presented to the operating system based on the take-over scenario. By modifying which hardware parameters are exposed and how they are presented, the system achieves adaptability to different physical configurations while optimizing resource utilization through intelligent parameter selection and management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If simple configuration matching is performed for take-over, then ease of operation is improved, but hardware resource utilization efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetake-over operation simplicityVSAvoidhardware resource utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary configuration matching and virtual hardware setup before the actual take-over occurs. By pre-configuring the virtual hardware environment and matching parameters in advance, the actual take-over operation becomes simple and straightforward, while the system simultaneously optimizes hardware resource allocation through the pre-established virtualization framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a virtual hardware configuration copy that mirrors the original server's hardware setup. This virtual configuration is presented to the operating system during take-over, allowing the OS to operate as if on the original hardware while the physical underlying hardware can differ. This resolves the contradiction by decoupling OS requirements from physical hardware constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS9792189B2Server system, computer system, method for managing server system, and computer-readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2017.10.17 HITACHI VANTARA LTD

AI summary

In a server system, a hardware configuration comparison is made with respect to each combination of a current server and a backup server, and, by referring to hardware configuration matching policy information, the presence or absence of hardware configuration concealment and the possibility of a take-over are determined with respect to each combination of the current server and the backup server. In addition, with respect to each combination of the current server and the backup server, a configuration matching rate indicating the ratio of hardware configuration matching is calculated. Based on information about the presence or absence of hardware configuration concealment, information about the possibility of a take-over, and information about the configuration matching rate with respect to each combination of the current server and the backup server, the backup server as a take-over destination of the current server is allocated.