Automated Workload Migration via Proximity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In distributed computing systems, administrators face challenges in quickly transferring workloads between computing devices, especially when a server is failing, as they need to manually identify and migrate virtual servers, which is time-consuming and inefficient, particularly in emergency situations like a server emitting smoke.
Innovation Solution
A method using a mobile computing device with proximity-based communications protocols to receive the identity of a failing server, gather information about its workloads, identify capable replacement servers, and initiate workload transfers without user input, leveraging NFC technologies and system management modules to automate the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a system administrator manually identifies and migrates virtual servers through a system management console, then workload transfer can be performed, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient, especially in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring computing devices with unique identifiers and pre-establishing workload migration pathways. When a failure is detected, the system already has the necessary identification data and migration routes ready, eliminating the need for manual identification and reducing migration time significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automation where the workload migration process occurs automatically without requiring manual intervention from system administrators. The system detects failures, identifies replacement devices, and executes migrations autonomously through programmed protocols, thereby eliminating manual operation delays.
2Ease of operation
If a system administrator needs to access a system management console to perform administrative actions, then workload transfer can be initiated, but the administrator cannot act quickly when physically present at the failing server
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical approach of requiring an administrator to be physically present at the server and manually access a console with an automated electronic system. The system uses electronic identifiers, wireless communications, and automated detection mechanisms to trigger workload migration remotely, eliminating the need for physical access and manual console interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediary components such as wireless communication modules, automated detection systems, and remote management software that mediate between the failure detection and workload migration execution. These intermediaries enable the migration process to occur automatically without requiring direct human intervention or physical access to the failing server.
3Measurement precision
If the system administrator knows the location of the first physical server, then manual identification is possible, but the administrator cannot identify the server by name when physically standing in front of it
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses digital copies of server identification information in the form of unique identifiers, tags, or RFID codes that can be read remotely. Instead of requiring the administrator to visually identify or manually locate the physical server, the system uses these digital copies to automatically identify and target the correct server for workload migration, even when the administrator is physically present but unable to manually interface with the server.
Data Source
AI summary
Transferring workloads between computing devices in a distributed computing system, including: receiving, by a mobile computing device via a proximity-based communications protocol, a first computing device identity; receiving, by the mobile computing device, information describing one or more workloads executing on the first computing device; identifying, by the mobile computing device, a second computing device in the distributed computing system that is capable of executing at least a portion of the one or more workloads executing on the first computing device; and initiating, by the mobile computing device, a transfer of at least a portion of the one or more workloads executing on the first computing device to the second computing device.