Unified Virtual Server Management API for Data Center Resources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for deploying and managing virtual computing instances (VCIs) and physical servers in software-defined data centers require manual installation of virtualization platforms and out-of-band management solutions, consuming significant time and resources, and lack a unified interface for managing both VCI and physical server resources efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A centralized virtual server application and API/user interface that allows concurrent management of VCIs and physical servers, using a host gateway as a translation layer to aggregate and present both virtual and physical resources, enabling unified permissions and streamlined resource management through an intelligent platform management interface (IPMI).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual installation of virtualization platforms and out-of-band management solutions is used, then VCIs and physical servers can be managed separately, but significant time and resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate management interfaces for VCIs and physical servers into a single unified management interface. This allows administrators to manage both virtual and physical resources through one consolidated system, eliminating the need for separate manual installation and management of out-of-band solutions, thereby reducing deployment time and resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The management interface is designed to provide universal functionality for managing both VCI and physical server resources. It supports multiple management operations (provisioning, monitoring, debugging) across different resource types through a single interface, improving productivity while reducing the time required for separate management tasks.
2Ease of operation
If separate management interfaces are used for VCIs and physical servers, then specialized management is possible, but no unified interface exists for efficient resource management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple management interfaces into one unified interface that can handle both VCI and physical server resources. This consolidation simplifies the operational workflow by providing a single point of access for all management tasks, improving ease of operation while reducing the complexity of managing multiple separate interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified management interface provides universal functionality to manage diverse resources (VCIs and physical servers) through consistent operations. This multi-functional design allows administrators to perform provisioning, monitoring, and debugging tasks across different resource types using the same interface paradigm, enhancing operational convenience without increasing perceived complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual provisioning methods are used, then detailed control is possible, but time and resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines provisioning operations for VCIs and physical servers into a unified process through the consolidated management interface. This allows administrators to provision resources more efficiently by reducing redundant manual steps and consolidating control operations, thereby easing the provisioning process while reducing overall resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service provisioning capabilities where resources can be automatically allocated and configured through the unified management interface without requiring extensive manual intervention. This automation reduces both the ease of manufacture (by providing automated workflows) and resource consumption by eliminating redundant manual operations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is related to managing virtual computing instances and physical servers. An example machine-readable medium may store instructions executable by a processing resource to cause a computer system to provide an application program interface (API) that provides a user with an ability to manage a virtual computing instance (VCI) deployed on a hypervisor and provisioned by a pool of physical computing resources and manage a physical server.