Virtual Zones for OSI Layer 4-7 Service Capacity Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current approaches to augmenting capacity in data centers to prevent service failures are limited by physical location constraints, leading to challenges in managing capacity and failover within regions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing virtual zones within a cloud computing system that include virtual network functions (VNFs) to support OSI communication model layers 4-7 services, allowing for detection of capacity constraints, rerouting of traffic, and expansion of virtual zones to manage subscriber growth and failures without disrupting service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data center capacity is augmented by adding physical data centers within a region, then service capacity and reliability are improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase due to physical location constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of data center functionality through virtual network functions (VNFs) that can be instantiated and migrated across physical infrastructure. Instead of managing multiple physical data centers, the system uses virtualized service functions that replicate necessary capabilities software-defined, eliminating physical location constraints while maintaining service reliability and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from managing capacity in the physical dimension (adding more data centers) to the virtual dimension (instantiating VNFs). This dimensional shift allows service capacity to be augmented without the constraints of physical location, as virtual functions can be deployed and migrated across the infrastructure dynamically.
2Adaptability or versatility
If virtual zones are expanded to support new subscribers, then service capacity and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases due to virtualization management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic virtual zone management where VNFs can be instantiated, migrated, and scaled on-demand based on subscriber requirements. The system dynamically adjusts service capacity by creating or moving virtual network functions within zones rather than statically provisioning resources, enabling flexible adaptation to changing subscriber needs while the virtualization layer abstracts management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service capacity expansion through automated VNF instantiation and migration capabilities. When new subscribers are detected, the system automatically provisions necessary virtual network functions and allocates them to appropriate zones without manual intervention, allowing the infrastructure to self-adapt to capacity requirements while reducing operational burden.
3Ease of operation
If VNFs are used to provide services, then ease of operation and scalability are improved, but reliability may worsen due to potential VNF failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements failover mechanisms where backup VNFs are pre-configured and can be rapidly instantiated if a primary VNF fails. The system maintains service continuity by having standby virtual network functions ready to take over, cushioning against potential failures while preserving the operational simplicity of virtualized management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors VNF health and performance, using feedback loops to detect failures and trigger automatic failover to backup instances. This closed-loop monitoring ensures service reliability is maintained while the automated response preserves ease of operation by eliminating manual intervention requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to virtual zones for Open Systems Interconnection (“OSI”) communication model layers 4-7 services in a cloud computing system. According to one aspect of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, a cloud computing system can include a hardware resource and a virtual zone. The virtual zone can include a virtual network function (“VNF”) that is executable by the hardware resource. The VNF can support a service that operates within one of layers 4-7 of the OSI communication model. A computing system can detect new subscribers to the service within the virtual zone. The computing system also can determine that a capacity constraint exists within the virtual zone as a result of the new subscribers. The computing system also can home the new subscribers to the further virtual zone so that the further VNF can provide the service to the new subscribers.