Virtual Frame Director for Dynamic Server Provisioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy data processing systems with physical servers are often over-provisioned, leading to underutilization during low demand, as configuration is manual and static, lacking efficient dynamic scaling and load distribution.
Innovation Solution
A virtual server system that separates server personality from physical infrastructure, allowing on-demand provisioning of virtual servers using a virtual frame director, management module, and policy-based triggers for dynamic resource allocation and notification, leveraging InfiniBand and fibre channel networks for high-speed interconnectivity and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical servers are over-provisioned to meet maximum demand, then service availability is improved, but resource utilization deteriorates during low demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic server provisioning where virtual servers are automatically created, moved, or deactivated based on real-time demand conditions. The system transitions from static over-provisioning to dynamic resource allocation, allowing physical servers to be actively utilized during high demand and deactivated during low demand periods.
Solution Approach 2:
Physical servers are designed to serve multiple functions by hosting different virtual servers at different times. The same physical infrastructure can be dynamically allocated to different virtual server instances based on demand, maximizing resource utilization while maintaining service availability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual configuration of physical servers is performed, then configuration flexibility is improved, but provisioning time and complexity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual server templates that can be rapidly copied and deployed across physical servers. Instead of manually configuring each server from scratch, administrators create a master template once and then quickly replicate it as needed, dramatically reducing provisioning time while maintaining configuration flexibility through template customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated self-service provisioning where virtual servers can be automatically created, configured, and deployed based on predefined policies and triggers without requiring manual intervention for each provisioning event. This reduces both time and complexity while maintaining adaptability through policy-based rules.
3Device complexity
If static server allocation is used in legacy environments, then system simplicity is improved, but load distribution efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments physical servers into virtual server instances that can be independently managed and allocated. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple physical infrastructure while achieving efficient load distribution through virtualized units that can be dynamically assigned to different physical hosts based on current load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtualization layer as an intermediary between physical servers and services. This intermediary layer simplifies the physical infrastructure management while enabling sophisticated load distribution algorithms to operate at the virtual level, improving efficiency without complicating the physical system.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a virtual frame director may receive association data regarding a virtual server and a physical server, send instructions to a management module based on the received association data, send a control command to the physical server based on the received association data, and send a notification regarding completion of an association between the virtual server and the physical server. A management module may configure the virtual server and/or a gateway according to the instructions received from the virtual frame director. In one embodiment, a virtual frame director may receive a request message for a server, determine whether the request message for the server meets a policy implemented in the virtual frame director, and perform an action directed by the policy when the request message meets the policy.