Virtual Machine Resource Group Management via Web Services
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional availability management solutions are unable to include virtual machines within monitored resource groups and are limited by requiring all components to be on the same network, restricting flexibility in configuring and managing resource groups, especially across different clusters.
Innovation Solution
The solution enables the configuration and management of resource groups using a web-services protocol, allowing virtual machines to be dynamically relocated across physical host nodes and enabling resource groups to span multiple clusters, facilitating communication and relocation through a web-services interface, even across firewalls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional availability management solutions are used, then resource groups can be monitored and managed, but virtual machines cannot be included within monitored resource groups
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an availability monitor as an intermediary component that mediates between virtual machines and the resource group management system. The monitor includes agents that communicate with virtual machine monitors through a standardized interface, enabling virtual machines to be included in resource groups without directly modifying the core availability management architecture. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by adding virtual machine support while maintaining system structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all components are required to be on the same network, then network management is simplified, but flexibility in configuring resource groups across different clusters is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication interface based on web services that enables the availability monitor to communicate with virtual machine monitors across different networks and clusters. The standardized interface allows the same monitoring and management operations to be performed whether components are on the same network or distributed across multiple clusters, providing multi-functionality that resolves the contradiction between flexibility and ease of operation.
3Reliability
If virtual machines are dynamically relocated across physical host nodes, then availability is improved, but the complexity of managing resource groups increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the availability monitor continuously monitors the state of virtual machines and physical host nodes. When a virtual machine needs to be relocated for availability reasons, the monitor receives feedback about the current state, makes relocation decisions, and automatically manages the relocation process. This automated feedback loop improves availability while managing complexity by eliminating the need for manual intervention in relocation operations.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, methods and apparatus for configuring and/or monitoring a virtual machine in a resource group. In another embodiment, a method and apparatus for configuring and/or monitoring a resource group in accordance with a relocation policy that authorizes relocation of a resource from one cluster to another. In a further embodiment, a method and apparatus for configuring, monitoring and/or managing a resource group via a resource group tool having a user interface accessible via a web-services interface. In yet another embodiment, a method and apparatus for communicating between a console and at least one agent in a resource group tool via a web-services interface.