KR20050036039A - Computing resource broker system and method for processing three-dimensional rendering, broker service server used therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a computing resource brokering system and method for three-dimensional rendering processing, and an intermediary server used therein, wherein the requester requests a three-dimensional rendering work processing connected to a broadband communication network and provides at least an idle computing resource. In the computing resource brokerage system comprising a broker server for leasing the computing resources of the provider in accordance with one or more providers and requests of the requester to process the three-dimensional rendering work, the three-dimensional rendering work is processed. The source data and the rendering processing conditions of the source data are selected to request an intermediary server to process the 3D rendering, and the intermediary server periodically monitors whether or not the computing resources of the pre-registered provider are idle. Idle computing resources idle at processing request 3D rendering work is processed, and the processing result is received from the selected computing resource provider and provided to the requester, thereby utilizing high-performance computing power such as a supercomputer by using the resources of a general computer widely distributed at home or office. The present invention relates to an intermediary system and method for computing resources, and to an intermediary server used therein, for realizing and enabling rapid processing of the 3D rendering task.

Description

Intermediation system and method for computing resources for processing 3D rendering, and intermediation server used for the same, TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mediation system and method for computing resources for processing three-dimensional rendering, and to an intermediate server used therein. More specifically, the three-dimensional requestor is provided with an idle computing resource from a computing resource provider connected through a broadband communication network. In response to a request for processing a rendering job, the 3D rendering job is performed by renting or intermediating idle computing resources provided from the computing resource provider, such as a supercomputer by using resources of a general computer widely distributed in a home or an office. An intermediary system and method for computing resources for realizing high performance computing power and enabling rapid processing of the 3D rendering task, and an intermediary server used therein.

In general, three-dimensional rendering is an operation for naturally visualizing three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional screen while taking into account external shapes such as shape, position, and light source. Depending on factors such as position, camera position and angle, object movement, and surface texture, the results can be quite different, depending on the characteristics of the current render target and the animator's preference, Maya, Mentallay, and Lightwave. Rendering programs such as Lightwave and MAX are used.

Three-dimensional rendering is mainly applied to movie special effects and animations. In the case of movies and animations, not only do you need to create dozens of scenes for short one-second playback, but each scene requires complex mathematical operations and the same animation. If you want to select the best result from applying various rendering methodologies to the model, the time required for rendering may exceed the allowable limit set by the renderer. As it can lead to the weakening of the competitive edge, high computational power and rapid processing power should be considered for the processing of 3D rendering. To reflect this, the following systems or methods are currently proposed.

The first is a method using a supercomputer, which enables advanced computations and fast computations using the supercomputers, but requires a powerful processor, so that the system construction cost is high and most supercomputers are trained. high cost has been required, since the marginal performance of the processor there is a problem that has limited capacity due only to charging for the use rates the time of the super computer, is configured to be accessible.

The second is a clustering method that connects multiple servers to a network to perform distributed tasks. By connecting several server systems to each other and acting as a single computer, parallel processing and variable workload Distributed processing ensures that operations continue even if one of the many workstations fails.

However, although the construction cost is reduced compared to the supercomputer, there is still a high cost in the construction, there is a space constraint for the server installation because the plurality of servers must be connected to the network, and the processing performance due to the limitation of server expansion There was a limit.

In order to solve the above problems, grid computing has recently been proposed to realize high performance computing power by utilizing a large number of computing resources connected to a network.

Grid computing is widely used by high-performance computers in most homes or offices, and is commonly used. The high-performance computers are connected to the Internet through a broadband network, but many of the high-performance computers are idle for a long time. It is proposed based on the fact that it continues, and is a next-generation Internet service that allows resources such as high-performance computers, mass storage devices, databases, and advanced experimental equipment distributed over a wide area to be connected and shared with a network.

Through the grid computing, all resources connected to the network, for example, processors, memory, storage devices, special test equipment, etc. are managed as available resources, and by using them, the work requiring large processing capacity is divided into small portions. By letting idle computers that are not doing their work share and process them, they get a high level of processing power that is difficult to do with a single computer, but they can provide a profit model for efficient resource distribution and use, or compensation for resources provided. In the absence of this, active participation of a large number of subscribers was not induced, and even if they were subscribed to, they often block the shared use of resources. Therefore, it is impossible to predict the work situation or completion time when implementing a grid computing project. Operation continued.

In addition, it was difficult to apply to a real environment because of compatibility problems between heterogeneous computers according to various computer models or environments, inadequate server intervention, and security problems according to the form of processing work on a personal computer.

The present invention was devised to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and is provided from the computing resource provider in response to a request for processing a 3D rendering task of a requestor by receiving computing resources in an idle state from a computing resource provider connected through a broadband communication network. By leasing or brokering idle computing resources to perform the 3D rendering work, high-performance computing power is realized like a supercomputer using resources of a general computer widely used in homes or offices, and the 3D rendering work. It is an object of the present invention to provide an intermediary system and method for computing resources, and an intermediary server used for enabling the rapid processing of the resource.

In addition, by providing a variety of compensation means for the providers of computing resources to secure a large number of subscribers, and according to the mediation system and method of computing resources for the three-dimensional rendering process that can provide a stable service, The purpose is to provide an intermediary server used.

In particular, by encrypting the data for the three-dimensional rendering task processing to protect the requestor's work, to prevent the abuse of abnormal resources, the performance status information of the computing resources owned by the provider, work processing progress information, computing for the work processing The same version can be stored and managed in the provider, requestor, and intermediary server so that computing resources can be efficiently utilized, and the processing time can be shortened by predicting the work situation or completion time, and based on the information It is an object of the present invention to provide an intermediary system and method for computing resources, and an intermediary server used to ensure accurate compensation.

Such an object of the present invention is connected to a broadband communication network, the requestor requesting a 3D rendering work process, at least one or more providers providing idle computing resources and the provider according to the request of the 3D rendering work request of the requester. In the computing resource intermediary system consisting of an intermediary server for leasing the computing resources of the three-dimensional rendering work, the requester is the intermediary server so that the source data for the three-dimensional rendering and the rendering processing conditions of the source data is selected Request the processing of the 3D rendering, and the intermediary server periodically monitors whether the computing resources of the registered provider are idle and selects the computing resources in the idle state according to the processing request of the requester to perform the 3D rendering operation. The selected computing resource provider Receiving from the processing result is achieved by a computing resource mediation system characterized in that to provide for the requestor.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to connect to a broadband communication network, receiving idle computing resources from at least one provider to rent the computing resources of the provider in accordance with the request of the requester's three-dimensional rendering task to perform the three-dimensional rendering task An intermediary server for processing a requestor client program, a resource management agent, and a work management agent that allow the requester and the provider to use an intermediary service and can use the computing resource brokerage service as the authorized requestor and provider, respectively. User registration unit for transmitting; Receive and store the static performance status information about the computing resources owned by the provider, such as the number and speed of processors, the capacity of memory and storage media, the type of operating system, the network bandwidth, and the personal information of the provider from the resource management agent. A resource register management unit; Work including rendering processing conditions such as size of source data for processing 3D rendering work, position of scene file / text file / result file, number of frames, frame resolution, desired price, deadline, etc. Job registration unit for receiving and storing the statement; A resource manager for receiving and storing dynamic performance state information of a computing resource owned by the provider, such as processor load, available memory, and network traffic, from the resource management agent, and determining whether the computing resource is idle; A resource availability prediction unit for predicting availability of computing resources based on the dynamic performance state information and user registration information, and storing and managing the availability prediction information; A task allocator configured to compare or search an idle computing resource list or the availability prediction information managed by the task specification and the resource manager to select a computing resource suitable for a 3D rendering task; A file transmission unit receiving data such as source data for a 3D rendering, a rendering program, a license key for the program, and the like from the requester to a provider who owns the selected computing resource; Usage information and processing such as the start time of 3D rendering work, the progress status of work such as error / event / reassignment occurring during execution, the list / type / total usage of computing resources used during execution, and the end time of work A history manager for storing and managing the results; And a billing management unit for issuing or transmitting a bill according to the lease or lease of computing resources to the requestor and the provider based on the usage information, and to compensate the provider for the contract fee paid by the requester. It is achieved by an intermediary server, characterized in that configured.

In addition, an object of the present invention is connected to a broadband communication network, receiving an idle computing resource from at least one provider, the intermediate server leases the computing resources of the idle provider in accordance with the requester's three-dimensional rendering work request In the computing resource intermediation method for processing a three-dimensional rendering operation, the request server is selected from the job specification, such as the size of the source data for the three-dimensional rendering, the number of frames, the desired price, the end of the rendering processing conditions, the mediation server Transmitting to the first step to request processing of the 3D rendering job; The intermediate server compares or retrieves the requested job statement with an idle computing resource list or availability prediction information and selects a computing resource of the provider suitable for the requested 3D rendering job; The intermediate server may include a third step of transmitting data such as source data for rendering processing, a rendering program, a license key for the program, and the like, encrypted with a public key encryption method, to a computing resource of the selected provider; As the 3D rendering task is progressed by the provider, progress information of the task is periodically transmitted and monitored by the mediation server and the requester, and the processing result and the type / use of computing resources used for the task processing from the provider. A fourth step of transmitting usage information to the intermediary server and the requester; And a fifth step in which the intermediary server charges the requestor for the cost of computing resource lease based on the processing result and the usage information, and pays the contract fee to the provider. Is achieved by a computing resource brokering method.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. For reference, the same reference numerals shown in each drawing indicate the same components.

1 is a configuration diagram of a computing resource brokering system according to the present invention, wherein the computing resource brokering system includes a requestor 1 requesting a 3D rendering work process, at least one provider 3 providing idle computing resources, and In accordance with the request of the requester (1) is configured to include an intermediary server (2) responsible for the lease or intermediation of the idle computing resources, the requester (1), provider (3) and intermediary server (2) Is connected via a broadband network.

First, the requestor 1 is an owner of a three-dimensional rendering work, and includes an animator, a special effect article, a researcher who performs graphics related tasks, and the source data for the three-dimensional rendering and the processing conditions of the source data. Is selected so that the intermediary server 2 requests processing of the three-dimensional rendering.

The provider 3 is a component that provides computing resources for a three-dimensional rendering task. The provider 3 provides the intermediate server 2 with the number and speed of processors, the capacity of a memory and a storage medium, an operating system type, and a network bandwidth. Transmits the information about the computing resources, and receives the source data, the rendering program and the processing conditions of the 3D rendering through the intermediary server 2 to process the 3D rendering work using the computing resources in the idle state. Or an information processing device such as a computer connected to a broadband communication network and owned by a general user, a PC room, a cluster owner, or a digital media center.

The mediation server 2 is a component that leases or brokers an idle computing resource provided from the provider 3 according to a 3D rendering processing request of the requester 1 to perform a 3D rendering operation. It is composed of a large-capacity server that is connected to a communication network and periodically collects information on the computing resources and 3D rendering work processing and implements a complex mediation algorithm.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a schematic operation procedure of the computing resource brokering system according to the present invention, and receives the computing resources in the idle state from the computing resource provider 3 in response to the request of the requester 1 for 3D rendering. The operation procedure up to the stage where the computing resources of (3) is leased and the processing or execution of the 3D rendering task is completed is shown.

First, the provider 3 collects the detailed information of the computing resources owned by the provider 3 such as the number and speed of processors, the capacity of the memory and the storage medium, the type of the operating system, the network bandwidth, and the like. Register in advance in advance (S10).

The requestor 1 transmits a job specification including the processing conditions such as the size and the number of frames for the 3D rendering work, the desired price, the end date, and the like to the intermediate server 2 to process the 3D rendering work. (S11), the intermediary server (2) compares or retrieves the job specification of the requester (1) and the resource statement of the provider (3) registered in advance (S12), and simulates the 3D rendering job After selecting a list of suitable computing resources, the detailed information about the selected computing resources is transmitted to the requester 1 (S13).

Upon receiving the detailed information about the selected computing resource, the requestor 1 transmits data such as source data, a rendering program, a license key for the program, and the like, to the intermediary server 2 for the 3D rendering work processing. (S14)

The intermediary server 2 receiving the source data for the 3D rendering, the rendering program, the license key for the program, and the like encrypts the transmitted data and transmits the encrypted data to the provider 3 who owns the selected computing resource. (S15)

The provider 3 receiving the encrypted data starts the 3D rendering work process (S16), and the progress information from the start to the end point is periodically monitored so that the intermediary server 2 or the requestor 1 The information managed by the relay server 2 or the requestor 1 is upgraded to be upgraded. (S17)

If the 3D rendering process of the provider 3 is interrupted or the selected computing resource becomes unavailable due to a special reason, the intermediary server 2 repeats step S12 to update the 3D rendering task. Computing resources are allocated to allow work to be performed.

When the 3D rendering task is completed, the provider 3 transmits the processing result and usage information such as the type and amount of computing resources used for the task processing to the mediation server 2 or the requester 1 (S18), The mediation server 2 issues an invoice or lease bill to the requester 1 based on the processing result and the usage information, and when the requester 1 completes the settlement of the mediation service fee, The contract fee is paid to the provider 3 (S19).

3 is a detailed configuration diagram of an intermediate server according to the present invention, wherein the intermediate server 2 is a user registration unit 20, a resource registration unit 21, a job registration unit 22, a resource management unit 23, a resource availability prediction unit 24, work assignment unit 25, file transfer unit 26, history management unit 27 and billing management unit 28.

The user registration unit 20 receives information such as personal information of the requestor 1 and the provider 3, permits the use of an intermediary service, and computes the requester 1 and the provider 3 authorized to use the service. It transmits a client program that can use the resource intermediary service, and stores and manages the registration information of the requestor (1) and provider (3).

When the requestor 1 and the provider 3 register information such as personal information in the user registration unit 20, the user registration unit 20 determines whether the registration information is authentic and if there is no abnormality, it is a normal user. If the user with normal permission is the requester (1), the requestor client program is transmitted, and if the provider (3), the resource management agent and the work management agent are transmitted to the requester (1) and the provider (3), respectively. The registration process is completed by installing it on the computer.

The resource register 21 is a component for receiving and storing a resource specification including detailed information of computing resources owned by the provider 3 from a resource management agent installed in the computer of the provider 3, and storing and managing the resource. The specification includes information such as the number of processors and speed, the capacity of memory and storage media, the type of operating system, the network bandwidth, the static performance state information collected when the computing resource is booted or the connection of a new device, and the personal information of the provider 3. Include.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the resource register 21 periodically communicates with the resource management agent to provide information such as static performance status information of the computing resources of the provider 3 and personal information of the provider 3. It is preferable to upgrade the information received and stored and managed by the resource register 21.

The job registration unit 22 is a component for receiving and storing and managing a job statement submitted by the requester 1 from a requester client program installed in the computer of the requester 1, and the job specification is a three-dimensional rendering job. The job registration unit 22 includes contents of rendering processing conditions such as the size of the source data for processing, the location of the scene file / texture file / result file of the rendering job, the number of frames, the frame resolution, the desired price, the deadline, and the like. Prioritizes the submitted three-dimensional rendering process based on information such as a desired price and an expiration date of the work statement submitted by the requester (1).

The resource manager 23 periodically retrieves dynamic performance state information of the computing resources owned by the provider 3 from the resource management agent installed in the provider 3 computer such as processor load, available memory, network traffic, and the like. The computing resource is divided into an idle state, an offline state, a use state, and a three-dimensional rendering processing operation based on dynamic performance state information. Managed.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the resource manager 23 periodically communicates with the resource management agent to receive the dynamic performance status information of the computing resources of the provider 3 to be stored and managed in the resource manager 23. It is preferable that the information to be upgraded is set, and in particular, the period is set appropriately within a range that does not lower the computing resource utilization rate of the provider 3.

The resource availability prediction unit 24 predicts the availability of computing resources based on the dynamic performance state information and the user registration information of the computing resources stored and managed by the resource management unit 23, and stores and manages the availability prediction information. The processor 3 may be configured based on dynamic performance status information such as the processor load transmitted from the resource management agent, the amount of available memory, the amount of network traffic, and user registration information such as the computer installation location of the provider 3. Analyze the types of computing resources used) to ensure efficient resource rental.

For example, when the provider 3's computer is located in the office, the idle time is predicted from the leaving time to the next day's rush time, and a 3D rendering job is preferentially assigned to the provider's computer. Make sure this is handled reliably.

The job allocator 25 compares the job specification submitted to the job registration unit 22 with the availability prediction information managed by the computing resource or resource availability prediction unit 24 in an idle state managed by the resource manager 23. Or a component that searches for and then selects at least one or more computing resources most suitable for the 3D rendering task and assigns the rendering task to the selected computing resource, the priority of the 3D rendering task managed by the task register 22. According to the information of the resource management unit 23 and the resource availability prediction unit 24 selects a computing resource to perform the rendering operation, and submits the three-dimensional rendering operation detailed information about the selected computing resource Send to requestor (1).

Here, since the three-dimensional rendering of the requester 1 in the provider 3's computer always has a lower priority than the inherent task of the provider 3, the work management agent installed in the provider 3's computer. When a situation in which a rendering task is no longer reported due to an event such as an error or power off from the task is reported, the task allocator 25 registers the stopped rendering task as a new high priority task in the resource manager 23. Compare or search for managed idle resources and then select the most appropriate computing resource so that the paused rendering task is reallocated to the selected computing resource.

The file transfer unit 26 transmits source data such as a scene file / texture file for 3D rendering, a rendering program, a license key for the program, etc. to a computer of the provider 3 owning the selected computing resource. As a component, receiving the source data for the three-dimensional rendering work processing, the rendering program, the license key for the program from the requester (1) that has received the detailed information about the selected computing resources to receive the selected computing resources Transfer to owned provider (3).

In the embodiment of the present invention, in order to protect the work of the requestor 1 and to prevent abnormal resource abuse, all the transmitted data is encrypted with a public key encryption method defined by a public key infrastructure (PKI), in particular encryption. And use of a temporary session key to shorten the time to be decrypted.

The history management unit 27 is a component that stores and manages usage information and processing results from the start to the end point of the 3D rendering work performed through the intermediary server 2, and the use information is a 3D rendering work. Information on the progress of the task, such as when the task started, whether there was an error / event / reassignment in progress, the list / type / total usage of computing resources owned by the provider (3) used during the task, and the end of the task. Include all the information.

Here, the history manager 27 periodically communicates with the task management agent and the resource management agent to receive the progress information of the task and the usage information, and the information stored and managed by the history manager 27 is upgraded. In this regard, it can be used to identify the responsible material in case of leakage of digital content corresponding to the intellectual property of the requestor (1), and transmits the progress information and usage information to the requester (1) to the requester (1). It is desirable to monitor the progress of the 3D rendering operation requested by.

In addition, the 3D rendering process result is received from the provider 3, and the process result is transmitted to the requester 1, and the process result is stored and managed by the history manager 27 so that the requester 1 It is also possible to use the processing result for a fee with a third user with the agreement.

Finally, the billing management unit 28 calculates the calculation of the lease or lease of computing resources at regular intervals based on the usage information of the computing resources used for the 3D rendering work stored and managed by the history management unit 27. Issuance or transmission component, the bill according to the lease or lease is transmitted to the requestor (1) and the provider (3), respectively, via an email or the like, the requestor (1) receiving the lease bill of the charges If the payment is selected, the associated bank, card company, etc. can be requested to authenticate and pay the usage fee, and the contract fee of the paid usage fee is compensated to the provider 3.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the contract fee provided to the provider 3 may use a term license right of a utility program such as cash, a vaccine program or a word processor, a license or discount ticket of a paid service, electronic money, the mediation service. It is desirable to allow a large number of subscribers to actively participate in various forms such as points.

4 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation procedure of the requestor according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation procedure of the mediation server according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a detailed operation procedure of the provider according to the present invention. In the flowchart, the requestor 1 requests processing of the 3D rendering job to the intermediary server 2 through the requester client program, and the computing of the idle state of the provider 3 registered in advance through the intermediary server 2. The operation procedure until the resource is leased and the processing or execution of the requested 3D rendering task is terminated.

Here, the at least one provider (3) is a resource specification that collects the static performance state information of the computing resources owned by the provider (3), such as the number and speed of processors, the capacity of memory and storage media, the type of operating system, the network bandwidth It is assumed that the information managed by the resource registration unit 21 is upgraded by registering in advance in the resource registration unit 21 of the intermediate server 2 and sending the static performance state information of the computing resource through the resource management agent.

In addition, the resource management agent sends the dynamic performance status information of the computing resources such as processor load, available memory, network traffic, etc. to the intermediary server 2 to upgrade the information managed by the resource manager 23 to the computing. It is determined whether the resource is idle, the resource availability prediction unit 24 of the mediation server 2 is based on the dynamic performance status information and user registration information of the computing resources stored and managed in the resource management unit 23 It is assumed that the availability is predicted, and the storage prediction information is stored and managed.

First, the requestor 1 uses the requestor client program to determine the size of the source data for processing the 3D rendering work, the location of the scene file / texture file / result file for the rendering work, the number of frames, the frame resolution, the desired price, and the deadline. Create a job specification including rendering processing conditions (S20, S21a).

In addition, it is possible to modify the specification of the three-dimensional rendering job previously requested to the intermediary server (2), in which case the requestor (1) is a job specification registered to the intermediary server (2) through the requester client program Request (S20, S21b), and modify the job specification sent from the intermediary server (2) (S22).

Here, it is preferable that the intermediary server 2 that has received a request for a job statement registered from the requestor 1 temporarily suspend the previously requested 3D rendering job.

When the preparation of the work specification is completed, the requestor 1 sends a work specification that has been created or modified to the mediation server 2 to request a 3D rendering work process (S23), and requests the processing of the 3D rendering work. The received mediation server 2 registers the job specification in the job registration unit 22 to store and manage the job specification (S30).

The job allocator 25 of the mediation server 2 includes a job statement registered in the job register 22 and an idle computing resource list managed by the resource manager 23 or the resource availability predictor 24. After comparing or retrieving the availability prediction information stored and managed (S31), the computing resource most suitable for the job specification is selected (S32).

The job allocator 25 transmits detailed information about the selected computing resource to the requestor 1 who has requested the 3D rendering work process (S33), and has received the detailed information about the computing resource (1). Transmits source data such as a scene file / texture file for the 3D rendering work process, data such as a rendering program, a license key for the program, and the like to the intermediate server 2 (S24 and S25).

The file transmission unit 26 of the mediation server 2 receiving the data is a provider 3 owning the selected computing resource, source data such as a scene file / texture file for processing the 3D rendering work, a rendering program. And encrypts and transmits data such as a license key for the program, and instructs a process management agent of the provider 3 to process the 3D rendering task. (S34, S35)

In the embodiment of the present invention, in order to protect the work of the requestor 1 and to prevent abnormal resource abuse, all the transmitted data is encrypted with a public key encryption method defined by a public key infrastructure (PKI), in particular encryption. And use of a temporary session key to shorten the time to be decrypted.

The provider 3 who has been instructed to process the 3D rendering work together with data such as the source data for the encrypted 3D rendering, the rendering program, and the license key for the program, starts the 3D rendering work process (S40). The work management agent installed in the computer of the provider 3 monitors the progress of the work processing until the end point and periodically transmits the work processing progress information to the history management unit 27 of the mediation server 2. S41)

In the embodiment of the present invention, the history management unit 27 receives and stores the job processing progress information transmitted from the provider (3) (S36), and transmits the progress information to the requester (1) The progress of the three-dimensional rendering operation is monitored in real time (S26), in particular, the e-mail, mobile phone number, etc. of the requester (1) is selected during registration of the work specification through the requester client program In addition, it is desirable to be notified through the email of the requester 1, the short message service (SMS) of the mobile phone, etc. so that the requester 1 can monitor the work progress in real time.

In addition, when performing the rendering operation, the provider 3 arbitrarily blocks the access to the operation so that the processed rendering operation is protected, and the provider 3 provides a GUI (Graphic User) such as a graph through the resource management agent. Interface) to check the usage information of the computing resource for the job processing.

When the three-dimensional rendering work processing is completed (S42, S43a), the provider (3) to the history management unit 27 of the mediation server (2) of the processing result of the job and the computing resources used for the work processing The usage information is transmitted (S44a), and the history management unit 27 receives, stores and manages the processing result and the usage information of the computing resource (S38), and also the requester (1) who requests the rendering work process. ) To be used by the requester 1 (S39, S27).

If, when the provider 3 performs a 3D rendering operation, an event in which the power supply is turned off, an error in computing resources, and the rendering operation cannot be processed to perform a unique operation of the provider 3 occurs (S42), the provider ( 3) stops the rendering work being performed (S43b), and sends the event generation information, the work processing stop information, and the processing result up to the stop point to the mediation server 2 (S44b).

When the event occurrence information and job processing stop information are received by the mediation server 2 (S37), the job allocation unit 25 of the mediation server 2 completes the stopped rendering in order to complete the stopped rendering job processing. The task is registered as a new task having a high priority to be reallocated to a new computing resource. In this case, the operation procedure of the mediation server 2 is the same as that of S31 to S39.

Although not shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, the billing management unit 28 is based on the usage information of the computing resources used for the three-dimensional rendering operation stored and managed by the history management unit 27 computing resources at regular intervals. If the requestor (1) receives the lease bill and selects payment of the fee, authentication is made to the associated bank, card company, etc., to the requestor (1) and the provider (3), respectively. It is possible to request and pay the fee, and the contract fee of the paid fee is paid to the provider (3).

In the embodiment of the present invention, the contract fee provided to the provider 3 may use the term license right of the utility program such as cash, vaccine program or word processor, the use or discount ticket of the paid service, the electronic money, the mediation service. It is desirable to allow a large number of subscribers to actively participate by allowing payment or compensation in the form of points.

As described above, the computing resource brokering system and method according to the present invention, and the intermediate server used therein is provided with the computing resources in the idle state from the computing resource provider connected via the broadband communication network according to the processing request of the three-dimensional rendering of the requester By leasing or brokering idle computing resources provided by the computing resource provider to perform the 3D rendering work, high-performance computing power is realized, such as a supercomputer, using the resources of a general computer widely used in homes or offices. The 3D rendering operation can be quickly processed.

In addition, data such as source data, rendering program, and license key for the 3D rendering work are encrypted using a public key encryption method defined by PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) to protect the requestor's work, and abnormal resources To prevent abuse.

Furthermore, the same version is stored and managed in the provider, requestor and intermediary server to store the performance status information of the computing resource owned by the provider, the progress of the task, and the usage information of the computing resource used for the task. It was possible to use it, and the processing time was shortened because it was possible to predict the working situation or completion time, and based on the above information, accurate compensation was made.

In addition, the contract fee provided to the provider may be paid or compensated in various forms, such as a term license license of a utility program such as cash, a vaccine program or a word processor, a voucher for a paid service, a discount voucher, an electronic money, or a point for using the brokerage service. By encouraging them to actively participate, it secured a large number of subscribers, thereby providing stable services to the requestors, and providing a win-win system for providers to receive various forms of compensation for leasing computing resources. There was an effect.

1 is a block diagram of a computing resource brokering system according to the present invention,

2 is a flowchart illustrating a schematic operation procedure of the computing resource brokering system according to the present invention;

3 is a detailed configuration diagram of an intermediary server according to the present invention;

4 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed operation procedure of a requestor according to the present invention;

5 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed operation procedure of an intermediary server according to the present invention;

6 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed operation procedure of a provider according to the present invention.

Description of the main parts of the drawing

1: requester 2: intermediary server

3: Provider 20: User Register

21: Resource register 22: Job register

23: resource management unit 24: resource availability prediction unit

25: task assignment unit 26: file transfer unit

27: history management 28: billing management

Claims (10)

The requestor 1 connected to the broadband communication network to request a 3D rendering work process, the at least one provider 3 providing idle computing resources, and the requester 1 according to the 3D rendering work request. In the computing resource intermediary system consisting of a mediation server (2) for leasing the computing resources of the provider (3) to be processed three-dimensional rendering work, The requestor 1 requests the mediation server 2 to process the 3D rendering by selecting the source data for the 3D rendering and the rendering processing condition of the source data, and the mediation server 2 periodically By monitoring the idle state of the computing resources of the provider (3) registered in advance, the three-dimensional rendering operation is processed by selecting the computing resources in the idle state according to the processing request of the requester (1), the selected computing resource provider ( 3) Computing resource brokering system, characterized in that for receiving the processing result from the requester (1) to be provided. Connected to a broadband communication network, the computing resources in idle state are provided from at least one provider 3, and the computing resources of the provider 3 are leased according to the request of the requester 1 for 3D rendering. In the intermediary server (2) which causes this to be processed, A requestor client program and a resource management agent that allow the requester 1 and the provider 3 to use the intermediary service, and can use the computing resource brokerage service as the licensed requestor 1 and the provider 3, respectively. And a user registration unit 20 which transmits a job management agent. Information such as static performance state information about computing resources owned by the provider 3 and personal information of the provider 3 such as the number and speed of processors from the resource management agent, the capacity of memory and storage media, the type of operating system, the network bandwidth, etc. A resource register 21 for receiving and storing information; Work including rendering processing conditions such as size of source data for processing 3D rendering work, position of scene file / text file / result file, number of frames, frame resolution, desired price, deadline, etc. Job registration unit 22 for receiving and storing the statement; Receives, stores and manages dynamic performance status information of computing resources owned by the provider 3, such as processor load, available memory, and network traffic, from the resource management agent, and determines whether the computing resources are idle. Resource management unit 23; A resource availability prediction unit 24 for predicting availability of computing resources based on the dynamic performance state information and user registration information, and storing and managing the availability prediction information; A task allocator 25 for comparing or retrieving the idle computing resource list or the availability prediction information managed by the task specification and the resource manager 23 to select a computing resource suitable for a 3D rendering task; A file transmission unit 26 receiving data from the requester 1 for source data for 3D rendering, a rendering program, a license key for the program, and the like, and transmitting the data to a provider 3 that owns the selected computing resource; Usage information and processing such as the start time of 3D rendering work, the progress status of work such as error / event / reassignment occurring during execution, the list / type / total usage of computing resources used during execution, and the end time of work A history manager 27 for storing and managing the results; And Based on the usage information, the requestor 1 and the provider 3 issue or transmit a bill according to the lease or lease of computing resources, and the contract fee of the fee paid by the requester 1 3) intermediary server, characterized in that comprises ;; billing management unit 28 to be compensated to. The method of claim 2, The resource register 21 periodically communicates with the resource management agent to receive information such as static performance state information about the computing resources of the provider 3 and personal information of the provider 3, and the like. Mediation server, characterized in that the information stored and managed in the) to be upgraded. The method of claim 2, The job registration unit (22) is a mediation server, characterized in that to give priority to the three-dimensional rendering processing job based on information such as the desired price and the end date of the job statement submitted by the requester (1). The method of claim 2, The resource manager 23 periodically communicates with the resource management agent to receive dynamic performance status information of the computing resource of the provider 3 so that the information stored and managed by the resource manager 23 is upgraded. Intermediate server characterized by. The method of claim 2, The file transfer unit (26) is characterized in that the data transmitted from the requestor (1) by encrypting the public key encryption method to be transmitted to the provider (3) owning the selected computing resources. The method of claim 2, When the job assignment information is reported from the job management agent, the job allocator 25 registers the stopped rendering job as a new job having a high priority and manages an idle computing resource managed by the resource manager 23. Comparing or retrieving a list or the availability prediction information and then selecting an appropriate computing resource to reassign the suspended rendering task to the selected computing resource. The method of claim 2, The history manager 27 periodically communicates with the task management agent and the resource management agent to receive the progress information of the task and the usage information so that the information stored and managed by the history manager 27 is upgraded. The mediation server, characterized in that for transmitting the progress information and the usage information to the requestor (1) to monitor the progress of the three-dimensional rendering job requested by the requestor (1). The method of claim 2, The contract fee provided to the provider 3 in the billing management unit 28 may use a term license right of a utility program such as cash, a vaccine program or a word processor, a right or discount coupon of a paid service, electronic money, and the mediation service. Brokerage server, characterized in that paid in the form of points. Intermediate server 2 is connected to the broadband communication network to receive idle computing resources from at least one provider 3 to request the requester 1 to execute a three-dimensional rendering task. In the computing resource intermediation method to lease the computing resources to process the three-dimensional rendering work, The requestor 1 transmits a job specification in which the rendering process conditions such as the size and the number of frames for the 3D rendering, the desired price, and the expiration date are selected, to the intermediary server 2 to process the 3D rendering job. The first step is requested; The intermediary server 2 compares or retrieves the requested job specification with an idle computing resource list or availability prediction information, and selects a computing resource of the provider 3 suitable for the requested 3D rendering job. Step 2; The intermediary server 2 is a third step in which data such as source data for rendering work processing, rendering program, license key for the program, etc. are encrypted by a public key encryption method and transmitted to a computing resource of the selected provider 3. ; As the 3D rendering work is progressed by the provider 3, the progress information of the work is periodically transmitted and monitored by the intermediary server 2 and the requester 1, and the processing result from the provider 3 and A fourth step of transmitting usage information such as the type / usage of computing resources used for the job processing to the intermediary server 2 and the requester 1; And The mediation server 2 charges the requester 1 for the cost of computing resource lease based on the processing result and the usage information, and pays the contract fee to the provider 3 for the fee. Computing resource brokerage method comprising: a.