Virtual Network Management System Automating Resource Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Software development and testing require significant time and resources due to the complexity of configuring simulated environments, which often necessitate dedicated hardware and administrator-level expertise, limiting accessibility and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A virtual network management system that allows users to create and manage virtual networks with minimal involvement, using a web-based interface to specify requirements and automatically allocate resources, enabling non-technical users to configure virtual environments without dedicated hardware or administrator intervention, and includes load-balancing and resource management to optimize resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated physical computers and hardware are used for each configuration, then reliability and performance are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironment reliabilityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple virtual machine configurations onto a single physical server, allowing multiple simulated environments to share hardware resources. This reduces the number of physical computers needed while maintaining configuration reliability through virtualization abstraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a universal physical infrastructure that can support multiple different virtual network configurations simultaneously. A single server can host various simulated environments with different hardware/software requirements, making the infrastructure multi-functional and adaptable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple virtual machines are deployed on a single physical server, then resource utilization is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to required administrator knowledge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidconfiguration ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables non-administrator users to independently configure and manage their own virtual network environments through automated tools and interfaces. Users can define their own simulated environments without requiring administrator-level knowledge or intervention, making the system self-service oriented.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer of automated management tools and abstractions between users and the underlying virtualization infrastructure. This intermediary handles the complexity of resource allocation and configuration, presenting a simplified interface to users while maintaining efficient resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If administrators manually configure each test environment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming setup

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration precisionVSAvoidsetup speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows users to define configuration requirements in advance through templates and predefined parameters. The automated system then prepares and provisions the virtual environment based on these pre-specified requirements, ensuring configuration precision while eliminating manual setup time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of administrator configuration with an automated software-based system. Scripts and automated tools handle environment provisioning, ensuring consistent precise configurations while dramatically reducing setup time compared to manual administrative work.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS7730183B2System and method for generating virtual networks

Publication Date: 2010.06.01 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A system and method for generating and/or managing virtual network(s) is provided. The system provides an interface for end-user(s) to create a virtual network (e.g., on-demand). The virtual network comprises a plurality of servers that allow the user to, for example, develop and/or test software, migrate applications, apply tasks and/or troubleshoot scenarios in a simulated, distributed environment.A user can communicate with the system via an interface (e.g., web-based) to create and/or manage the virtual network. Additionally, the system can employ a common infrastructure to facilitate creation and/or management of a variety of virtual deployment configurations. The common infrastructure can be designed, for example, by administrator(s) having knowledge of hardware and/or software available for employment within the virtual network.The system can further provide a load-balancing mechanism to determine and/or distribute workload to computer(s) with available resource(s). Additionally, the system can expire virtual session(s) that are no longer in use thereby releasing resources for other user(s) and/or session(s).