Voice Performance Management System for Dynamic Server Licensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing voice conferencing systems lack effective solutions for activation and licensing of conference servers, limiting scalability and flexibility in deployment and management.

Innovation Solution

A cloud-based, flexible, and multi-tier architecture with a Voice Performance Management System (DPMS) that enables dynamic activation, licensing, and real-time monitoring of voice conferencing servers, allowing for high availability, load balancing, and automatic resource allocation across clusters and geographical regions, using SIP protocol and standard management protocols like SNMP.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual configuration and licensing is used for conference servers, then deployment control is simplified, but scalability and flexibility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service automation where the license manager automatically detects, licenses, and configures conference servers without manual intervention. Servers self-register with the license manager, receive appropriate licenses based on cluster requirements, and are automatically integrated into the conferencing system, eliminating the need for manual configuration while maintaining scalability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The architecture employs dynamic server activation and deactivation based on licensing availability and system requirements. Servers can be dynamically added or removed from the cluster, with the license manager automatically adjusting resource allocation and conference assignments, providing flexibility without proportionally increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If conference servers are distributed across multiple clusters and geographical regions, then service availability is improved, but management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidmanagement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The license manager implements a universal management interface that handles licensing and configuration across multiple geographical clusters through a single system. This multi-functional approach allows centralized control of distributed servers, providing high availability through geographical distribution while maintaining simplified management through a unified license management platform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The license manager acts as an intermediary between distributed conference servers and the central management system. It mediates licensing, configuration, and resource allocation across multiple clusters, enabling geographical distribution for improved availability while abstracting the complexity of managing distributed systems through a single intermediary component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If automatic license management is implemented, then deployment efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service automation where the license manager automatically detects, licenses, and configures conference servers without manual intervention. Servers self-register with the license manager, receive appropriate licenses based on cluster requirements, and are automatically integrated into the conferencing system, eliminating the need for manual configuration while maintaining scalability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The license manager performs preliminary licensing and configuration actions before servers become operational. By pre-licensing servers and preparing configuration parameters in advance, the system streamlines deployment without adding operational complexity during active conferencing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2926539B1Systems for providing services in a voice conferencing environment
Publication Date: 2018.09.05 DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORP
  • EP2926539B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2926539B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2926539B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system according to the invention is highly scalable and includes at least one server cluster comprising a plurality of voice conferencing servers. The at least one cluster further includes one or more performance management systems for handling various tasks such as licensing tasks, real-time and historical performance monitoring, cascading, availability, failover, load balancing, and/or performance optimization.