JP2017151592A - Configuration selection apparatus, configuration selection system, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology of selecting a device configuration which is more suitable for a request from a user.SOLUTION: A configuration selection apparatus includes: a related word storage unit 11 which stores related words by element category and accompanying category; a specification storage unit 12 which stores specification of each component, and stores a component list constituting a device and specifications accompanying the configuration of the device, for each of configurations to be employed as the device; a request list generation unit 13 which extracts a related word from input information input as a request on the specifications of the device, and generates a request list including request specifications for each element category and request specifications for each accompanying category, on the basis of the extracted related word; and a configuration list generation unit 14 which generates and outputs a configuration list including components having the specifications similar to the request specifications of the element category, and configured so that the specifications accompanying the configuration of the device including a combination of components of the configuration list in the component list may be similar to the request specifications of the accompanying category.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for selecting a configuration of an apparatus.

  There are devices that can select components. For such a device, the user needs to select a device configuration that meets various requirements.

  An example of such a device is a server device. When introducing a server device, many operations such as examination of the hardware configuration, selection of the configuration based on the examination result, purchase of the server device having the selected configuration, and evaluation of the purchased server device are required. As a technology for supporting such work, there is a configuration support service provided on a website or the like by a server device manufacturer.

  In addition, it takes a lot of cost and time to purchase and evaluate a server device having a selected configuration. Furthermore, depending on the evaluation result, it may be necessary to reexamine the hardware configuration, select a server device, purchase, and evaluate again, which may require additional costs and time.

  Therefore, a technique for providing an evaluation environment by constructing a server device having a selected configuration as a virtual machine is known.

  For example, the related technology described in Patent Document 1 constructs a virtual machine that matches hardware information, resource information, usage, application used, and the like input as conditions.

  Further, the related technology described in Patent Document 2 breaks down requests related to machine resources into conditions for each class such as an OS (Operating System), a virtual machine, and a physical machine, and creates an instance of a virtual machine that satisfies the condition. .

JP 2011-242964 A JP 2009-245409 A

  However, the related art described above has the following problems.

  The configuration support service provided by the maker of the server device has a format in which a resource is selected for each item defined in the form by the providing side. For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult for a user who does not organize requests for each defined item to obtain a configuration that appropriately reflects the requests.

  In the related technique described in Patent Document 1, a condition is input for each item such as hardware information, resource information, usage, and application used. For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult for a user who does not organize requests for each of these items to obtain a configuration that appropriately reflects the requests.

  The related technique described in Patent Document 2 allows a condition related to a machine resource to be input for each class. For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult for a user who does not organize requests for each class to obtain a configuration that appropriately reflects the required conditions.

  In addition, the request related to the configuration of the apparatus includes a request related to specifications associated with the configuration of the apparatus, such as power consumption and price, as well as a request related to individual components. The specification accompanying the configuration of the apparatus may vary depending on the combination of components. However, although these related technologies consider the requirements regarding individual components, they do not consider the requirements regarding specifications associated with the configuration of the apparatus. For this reason, even if a configuration that satisfies the requirements for each component is selected, these related technologies may cause a situation where the specifications associated with the configuration of the device do not satisfy the user's requirements depending on the combination of these components. Let In that case, the user has to redo the configuration selection again. Therefore, these related techniques have a problem that it is difficult for not only a user who does not arrange requests but also a user who arranges requests to obtain a configuration that appropriately reflects the requests.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for selecting a configuration of a device that is more suitable for a user's request.

  The configuration selection device of the present invention relates to each element category that is a category of components that can configure a device for which a configuration is to be selected, and to each associated category that is a category of specifications that accompany the configuration of the device. A related word storage unit that stores related words that are keywords to be stored, a specification for each component, and a list of components constituting the device and a configuration of the device for each configuration that can be adopted as the device A specification storage unit that stores accompanying specifications; and the related words stored in the related word storage unit are extracted from input information that is input as a request related to the specifications of the device, and based on the extracted related words, the element A request list generation unit for generating a request list including a requirement specification required for each category and a requirement specification required for each of the accompanying categories; By referring to the specification storage unit, it is a configuration list composed of components having specifications similar to the required specifications of the element category, and includes a combination of components of the configuration list in the configuration element list. The accompanying specification includes a configuration list generating unit that generates and outputs a configuration list similar to the required specification of the accompanying category.

  In addition, the configuration selection system of the present invention, when the device that is a target for selecting a configuration is a server device, the above-described configuration selection device, a virtual server construction environment that can construct a virtual server of the instructed configuration, Management having a virtual server construction unit that transmits information instructing to construct a virtual server having a configuration based on the configuration list to the virtual server construction environment, and an access environment provision unit that provides an access environment to the virtual server An apparatus.

  In addition, the method of the present invention relates to each element category that is a category of components that can constitute a device for which a configuration is to be selected, and to each associated category that is a category of specifications associated with the configuration of the device. A related word storage unit that stores related words that are keywords to be stored, a specification for each component, and a list of components constituting the device and a configuration of the device for each configuration that can be adopted as the device The related word stored in the related word storage unit is extracted from the input information input as a request related to the specification of the device using the specification storage unit storing the accompanying specification, and based on the extracted related word Generating a request list including a required specification required for each element category and a required specification required for each accompanying category, and storing the required list and the specification storage unit A configuration list composed of components having specifications similar to the required specifications of the element category, and a specification associated with the configuration of the apparatus including a combination of the components of the configuration list in the component list. , A configuration list similar to the required specification of the accompanying category is generated and output.

  Further, the program of the present invention relates to each element category that is a category of components that can constitute a device for which a configuration is to be selected, and to each associated category that is a category of specifications associated with the configuration of the device. A related word storage unit that stores related words that are keywords to be stored, a specification for each component, and a list of components constituting the device and a configuration of the device for each configuration that can be adopted as the device The related word stored in the related word storage unit is extracted from the input information input as a request related to the specification of the device using the specification storage unit storing the accompanying specification, and based on the extracted related word A request list generating step for generating a request list including a required specification required for each element category and a required specification required for each of the accompanying categories; By referring to the request list and the specification storage unit, the component list is composed of components having specifications similar to the requirement specifications of the element category, and includes a combination of components of the configuration list in the component list A computer apparatus is caused to execute a configuration list generation step of generating and outputting a configuration list in which specifications associated with the configuration of the apparatus are similar to the required specifications of the associated category.

  The present invention can provide a technique for selecting a configuration of a device more suitable for a user's request.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the structure selection apparatus as the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the structure selection apparatus as the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the outline of operation | movement of the structure selection apparatus as the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of the operation | movement which the structure selection apparatus as the 1st Embodiment of this invention produces | generates a structure list. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the structure selection system as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the structure selection system as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the information for every element category memorize | stored in a related word memory | storage part in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the information for every accompanying category memorize | stored in a related word memory | storage part in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the information for every component memorize | stored in a specification memory | storage part in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the information for every structure of the apparatus memorize | stored in the specification memory | storage part in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the request | requirement list | wrist produced | generated in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure list produced | generated in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the specification of a server apparatus and required specification based on the structure list | wrist output comparatively output in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram explaining the outline of operation | movement of the structure selection system as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of the operation | movement which the structure selection apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention produces | generates a request | requirement list | wrist. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of the operation | movement which the structure selection apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention produces | generates a structure list. It is a flowchart following FIG. It is a sequence diagram explaining the operation | movement which the structure selection system as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention changes the structure of a server apparatus. It is a sequence diagram explaining the operation | movement which deletes the virtual server by which the structure selection system as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention completed evaluation.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a configuration selection device 10 as a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the configuration selection device 10 includes a related word storage unit 11, a specification storage unit 12, a request list generation unit 13, and a configuration list generation unit 14. The configuration selection device 10 is a device that selects the configuration of the device. As a device whose configuration is to be selected, there is a server device or another electronic device. Note that the device that is the target for selecting the configuration may be another device that can select the component.

  Here, the configuration selection apparatus 10 can be configured by hardware elements as shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the configuration selection device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1001, a memory 1002, an output device 1003, an input device 1004, and a network interface 1005. The memory 1002 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an auxiliary storage device (such as a hard disk), and the like. The output device 1003 is configured by a device that outputs information, such as a display device, a printer, and a speaker. The input device 1004 is configured by a device that receives an input of a user operation, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a microphone. The network interface 1005 is an interface connected to the network. In this case, the related word storage unit 11 and the specification storage unit 12 are configured by the memory 1002. The request list generation unit 13 and the configuration list generation unit 14 include an output device 1003, an input device 1004, a network interface 1005, and a CPU 1001 that reads and executes a computer program stored in the memory 1002. . Note that the hardware configuration of the configuration selection device 10 and each functional block thereof is not limited to the above-described configuration.

  Next, the detail of the functional block of the structure selection apparatus 10 is demonstrated.

  The related word storage unit 11 stores a related word that is a keyword related to the category for each element category and each accompanying category. The element category is a category of components that can configure a device for which a configuration is selected. The accompanying category is a category of specifications accompanying the configuration of such a device. The accompanying category is a category of specifications that can change in accordance with a combination of components constituting the apparatus. The element category and the accompanying category are collectively referred to simply as a category.

  The specification storage unit 12 stores specifications for each component. For example, the specification storage unit 12 may store the specification for each part number as a component. In addition, for each configuration that can be adopted as a device, the specification storage unit 12 stores a list of components constituting the device and specifications associated with the configuration of the device.

  The request list generation unit 13 acquires input information input as a request regarding the specifications of the apparatus. For example, the request list generation unit 13 may acquire such input information via the input device 1004. Alternatively, the request list generation unit 13 may acquire such input information via the network interface 1005. Note that the input information may include information representing sound, an image, text, or the like. Further, the input information is not input for each defined item, but is input as information representing a natural sentence, for example.

  Further, the request list generation unit 13 extracts the related words stored in the related word storage unit 11 from the acquired input information. If speech is included in the input information, the request list generation unit 13 may convert the speech into text information using a known speech recognition technique. If the input information includes a character image, the request list generation unit 13 may convert the character image into text information using a known character image recognition technique. Then, the request list generation unit 13 may extract the word by decomposing the text information obtained from the input information into units of words, and search for the extracted word that matches the related word.

  In addition, the request list generation unit 13 generates a request list for each category based on the extracted related terms. Here, the requirement list is information including requirement specifications required for each element category and requirement specifications required for each accompanying category. Specifically, the request list generation unit 13 may generate, as a request list, information that associates the extracted related words with the category to which the extracted related words are related.

  The configuration list generation unit 14 generates a configuration list by referring to the request list and the specification storage unit 12. The configuration list is a list of components having specifications similar to the required specifications of the element category. However, the configuration list generation unit 14 selects the components to be included in the configuration list so that the specifications accompanying the configuration of the device including the combination of the components of the configuration list in the component list are similar to the required specifications of the accompanying category. I do. For example, the configuration list may be a list of information (for example, part model number) that identifies the configuration element.

  The configuration list generation unit 14 can employ various determination criteria for determining whether the specification is similar to the required specification. For example, the configuration list generation unit 14 may determine whether or not the specification is similar to the required specification based on the similarity between the character string representing the specification and the character string representing the required specification. For calculating the similarity between character strings, a known technique may be employed. Alternatively, the configuration list generation unit 14 determines whether the specification is similar to the required specification based on whether the numerical value representing the specification is within a predetermined range based on the numerical value representing the required specification. May be. In addition, the configuration list generation unit 14 may determine whether the specification is similar to the required specification using other determination criteria. Further, such a determination criterion may be set for each element category and each accompanying category.

  Then, the configuration list generation unit 14 outputs the configuration list generated in this way. The output destination may be the output device 1003 or the memory 1002. Alternatively, the output destination may be another functional block that operates using the configuration list. Alternatively, the output destination may be another device connected via the network interface 1005.

  The operation of the configuration selection apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the request list generation unit 13 acquires input information input as a request regarding the specifications of the device (step S1).

  Next, the request list generation unit 13 extracts the related words stored in the related word storage unit 11 from the input information. Then, the request list generation unit 13 generates a request list including the required specifications for each element category and the required specifications for each accompanying category based on the extracted related terms (step S2).

  In this step, as described above, the request list generation unit 13 converts the input information into text information as necessary, decomposes the converted text information into units of words, and extracts and requests related words. Just generate the list.

  Next, the configuration list generation unit 14 generates a configuration list based on the request list and information stored in the specification storage unit 12. Here, the configuration list generation unit 14 includes a component having a specification similar to the required specification of the element category in the configuration list. At this time, the configuration list generation unit 14 includes the configuration list included in the configuration list so that the specifications associated with the configuration of the device including the combination of the components included in the configuration list are similar to the required specifications of the associated category. An element is selected (step S3). Details of this step will be described later.

  Next, the configuration list generator 14 outputs the configuration list (step S4).

  With the above, the configuration selection device 10 ends the operation.

  Next, FIG. 4 shows details of an operation in which the configuration list generation unit 14 generates a configuration list in step S3.

  In FIG. 4, first, the configuration list generation unit 14 searches the specification storage unit 12 for a component having a specification similar to the required specification for one of the element categories included in the request list (step). S11).

  Next, the configuration list generation unit 14 searches the specification storage unit 12 for information on devices that include the combination of the configuration elements already included in the configuration list and the configuration element selected this time in the configuration element list (step S12).

  Next, the configuration list generation unit 14 determines whether or not the specification accompanying the searched device configuration is similar to the requirement specification of the accompanying category in the request list (step S13).

  Here, when the specification accompanying the searched device configuration is similar to the required specification of the accompanying category, the configuration list generating unit 14 adds the selected component to the configuration list (step S14).

  On the other hand, if the specifications associated with the configuration of the searched apparatus are not similar to the required specifications of the associated category, the configuration list generation unit 14 does not add the selected component to the configuration list.

  If there is a required specification of an element category that has not yet been processed in the request list (Yes in step S15), the configuration list generation unit 14 repeats the operation from step S11.

  On the other hand, when the process is completed for the required specifications of each element category in the request list (No in step S15), the configuration list generation unit 14 ends the operation of generating the configuration list.

  Above, description of operation | movement of the structure prediction apparatus 10 is complete | finished.

  Next, effects of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The configuration selection device as the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention can select a configuration of a device more suitable for the user's request.

  The reason will be described. In the present embodiment, the related word storage unit stores related words related to the category for each element category and associated category. In addition, the specification storage unit stores specifications for each component, and stores a list of components and specifications associated with the configuration of the apparatus for each configuration that can be adopted as the apparatus. Then, the request list generation unit extracts the related words stored in the related word storage unit from the input information input as a request regarding the specifications of the device. Then, the request list generation unit generates a request list including the required specifications required for each element category and the required specifications required for each accompanying category based on the extracted related terms. Then, the configuration list generation unit generates the following configuration list with reference to the request list and the specification storage unit. That is, the generated configuration list includes components having specifications similar to the required specifications of the element category, and the specifications associated with the configuration of the device including the combination of these components in the component list are the required specifications of the accompanying category. It is because the component which resembles to is included.

  By using this embodiment configured as described above, the user need only input a request regarding the specifications of the apparatus without organizing information. And this Embodiment considers the request | requirement regarding the specification accompanying the structure of an apparatus not only in consideration of the request | requirement with respect to the component which comprises an apparatus based on such input information. As a result, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to select and present to the user the configuration of the apparatus adapted according to the user's request.

  On the other hand, when the related technology described in the background art is used, the user selects a component satisfying the requirement for each element category, and then a specification attached to the configuration of the device including the selected combination of components. It will be confirmed whether or not the user's request is satisfied. If the combination of the selected components does not satisfy the specification requirement associated with the configuration of the device, the user needs to start over from selection for each element category, and it takes time to select the configuration of the device.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to organize user requests and drop them into the configuration list without causing such a redoing operation, and as a result, it is possible to select a configuration of the apparatus that meets the requirements.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an example in which a device whose configuration is to be predicted is a server device will be described. Note that, in each drawing referred to in the description of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configuration and steps that operate in the same manner as in the first embodiment of the present invention, and the detailed description in the present embodiment. Description is omitted.

  First, FIG. 5 shows a configuration of a configuration selection system 2 as a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the configuration selection system 2 includes a configuration selection device 20, a virtual server construction environment 30, and a management device 40. Also, the configuration selection device 20 is different from the configuration selection device 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention in that it replaces the request list generation unit 13 with a request list generation unit 23 and a configuration list generation unit 14. The difference is that the configuration list generator 24 is included. In addition, the management device 40 includes a virtual server construction unit 41 and an access environment provision unit 42. The virtual server construction environment 30 includes one or a plurality of physical physical server devices 300. 6 shows three physical server apparatuses 300, the number of physical server apparatuses 300 is not limited.

  Here, each apparatus which comprises the structure selection system 2 can be comprised by a hardware element as shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the configuration selecting device 20 is configured by the same hardware elements as the configuration selecting device 10 in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Each physical server device 300 included in the virtual server construction environment 30 includes at least a CPU 3001, a memory 3002, and a network interface 3005. The memory 3002 includes a RAM, a ROM, an auxiliary storage device, and the like. A network interface 3005 is an interface connected to the network. The physical server device 300 may further include an arbitrary number of arbitrary resources 3006. The resource 3006 is a component that can configure a server device that is a target for selecting a configuration. The memory 3002 of each server 300 stores virtualization software for constructing a virtual machine.

  The management device 40 includes a CPU 4001, a memory 4002, and a network interface 4005. The memory 4002 includes a RAM, a ROM, an auxiliary storage device, and the like. The network interface 4005 is an interface connected to the network. In this case, the virtual server construction unit 41 and the access environment provision unit 42 are configured by a network interface 4005 and a CPU 4001 that reads and executes a computer program stored in the memory 4002.

  Note that the hardware configuration of each device and each functional block constituting the configuration selection system 2 is not limited to the above-described configuration.

  First, each functional block of the configuration selection device 20 will be described.

  The related word storage unit 11 and the specification storage unit 12 are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment of the present invention. As described above, in this embodiment, a server device is assumed as a target device for selecting a configuration. In this case, examples of information stored in the related word storage unit 11 and the specification storage unit 12 are shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is an example of a related word for each element category stored in the related word storage unit 11. In this example, related words are stored for each element category such as a CPU, a chip set, and a memory. These element categories represent categories of components that can constitute the server device.

  FIG. 8 is an example of related words for each accompanying category stored in the related word storage unit 11. In this example, related words are stored for each accompanying category such as power consumption, outer shape, and price. These accompanying categories are categories of specifications accompanying the configuration of the server device. The specification of the accompanying category can be changed according to the combination of the constituent elements constituting the server device.

  FIG. 9 is an example of specifications for each component stored in the specification storage unit 12. In this example, the specifications for each component are stored in a table for each element category. For example, in the table of the element category “CPU”, “zzz” is stored as the specification for the component whose CPU model number is “AAAAA”.

  FIG. 10 is an example of information for each configuration of the server device stored in the specification storage unit 12. In this example, a list of components and specifications associated with the configuration are stored in association with information for identifying a configuration that can be adopted as the server device. For example, information representing “AAAAA, BBBBB, CCCCC,...” Is associated with the information for identifying the configuration A of the server apparatus as a component list. This indicates that the server device of configuration A includes the configuration elements “AAAAA”, “BBBBB”, and “CCCCC”. Further, the information identifying the configuration A of the server apparatus is associated with specifications of each accompanying category such as power consumption and energy saving method. This represents a specification accompanying the configuration A of the server apparatus.

  The request list generation unit 23 is configured in substantially the same manner as the request list generation unit 13 in the first embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the request list generation unit 23 acquires additional input information for the element category or the accompanying category from which the related word has not been extracted, and adds the required specification of the category to the request list. For example, the request list generation unit 23 may acquire additional input information that is input according to the output by outputting information prompting the input of the request for the corresponding category to the output device 1003. Note that the request list generation unit 23 does not have to acquire additional input information for all element categories and associated categories for which related terms have not been extracted. For example, the request list generation unit 23 may acquire additional input information and add a required specification to the request list for a predetermined category among element categories and associated categories from which related terms are not extracted. .

  Further, the request list generation unit 23 acquires input information representing a changed request regarding the specifications of the device. The input information representing the changed request is typically input based on the evaluation result regarding the configuration of the server device based on the configuration list generated by the configuration list generation unit 24. In this case, the request list generation unit 23 extracts related words from the input information representing the changed request, and generates a request list based on the extracted related words. Hereinafter, the request list generated based on the input information representing the changed request is also referred to as a changed request list.

  Further, the request list generation unit 23 acquires additional input information based on an instruction from a configuration list generation unit 24 described later. The instruction from the configuration list generator 24 is given when it is necessary to narrow down a plurality of configuration lists. Also in this case, the request list generation unit 23 extracts related words from the additional input information, and adds the additional required specifications to the request list based on the extracted related words.

  For example, FIG. 11 shows an example of a request list generated in the present embodiment. In FIG. 11, the request list includes a requirement specification for each element category and a requirement specification for each accompanying category.

  The configuration list generator 24 is configured in substantially the same manner as the configuration list generator 14 in the first embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the configuration list generation unit 24 adds a configuration element to the configuration list as follows for an element category that does not have a required specification in the request list. That is, the configuration list generation unit 24 searches the specification storage unit 12 for a server device based on the configuration list after including in the configuration list all the components that can be selected based on the required specifications included in the request list. Here, the server device based on the configuration list is a server device that includes a combination of components already included in the configuration list in the component list, and the specifications associated with the configuration are the required specifications of the associated category. A similar server apparatus shall be said. Then, the configuration list generation unit 24 adds, to the configuration list, components that are not yet included in the configuration list among the components included in the searched component list of the device.

  The configuration list generation unit 24 may generate a plurality of configuration lists. For example, when adding a component for an element category that does not have a required specification in the request list, a plurality of devices based on the configuration list may be stored in the specification storage unit 12. In such a case, the configuration list generation unit 24 adds the components not yet included in the configuration list to the previous configuration list based on each of the component list of the plurality of devices. In this case, a plurality of configuration lists are generated.

  An example of the generated configuration list is shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, the configuration list includes the model number of the component that is the component and the name of the component. Note that FIG. 12 is an example, and the configuration list does not necessarily include the part model number and name. The configuration list only needs to include at least information capable of identifying each adopted component.

  Further, the configuration list generation unit 24 outputs the configuration of the server device based on the generated configuration list to the output device 1003 in a format that can be compared with the required specifications included in the request list. For example, the configuration list generation unit 24 may output the model numbers and specifications of the components of the components included in the configuration list for the element category in comparison with the required specifications of each element category. In addition, the configuration list generation unit 24 may output specifications associated with the configuration of the server device based on the configuration list in comparison with the required specifications of each accompanying category. As described above, the server device based on the configuration list is a server device that includes a combination of components included in the configuration list in the component list, and the specifications associated with the configuration are the required specifications of the associated category. Is a server device similar to

  An example of such a comparable display format is shown in FIG. In FIG. 13, each of the first to eighth lines represents the required specifications and the part numbers and specifications of the components included in the configuration list for each of the element categories. In addition, each line after the ninth line represents a required specification and a specification accompanying the configuration of the server device based on the configuration list for each of the accompanying categories. Note that the output destination of the information by the configuration list generation unit 24 is not necessarily the output device 1003 as a display device. For example, the output destination may be a printer or a speaker. The configuration list generation unit 24 may output the configuration of the server device based on the configuration list and the required specifications in a format suitable for the type of the output device 1003 so as to be comparable.

  Note that, when a plurality of configuration lists are generated, the configuration list generation unit 24 may output the configuration of the server device based on each of the plurality of configuration lists to the output device 1003 in a format that can be compared with the required specifications.

  Further, when a plurality of configuration lists are generated, the configuration list generation unit 24 narrows down the configuration lists to a smaller number of configuration lists based on the additional input information. Specifically, the configuration list generation unit 24 instructs the request list generation unit 23 to acquire input information representing an additional request. At this time, it is assumed that the configuration of the server device based on each of the plurality of configuration lists is output in a format that can be compared with the required specifications. Therefore, the request list generation unit 23 may acquire input information representing an additional request that is input for such output. Such input information typically includes a request that can narrow down multiple configuration lists to a smaller number of configuration lists. Then, the request list generation unit 23 generates an additional request list based on the additional input information.

  Here, a case where the requirement specification of the element category is added to the request list will be described. In this case, the configuration list generation unit 24 may select a configuration list that includes components that are more similar to the requirement specifications of the added element category from among the plurality of configuration lists.

  In addition, a case where the requirement specification of the accompanying category is added to the requirement list will be described. In this case, the configuration list generation unit 24 may select a configuration list in which specifications associated with the configuration of the server device based on the configuration list are more similar to the requirement specifications of the added associated category from among the plurality of configuration lists.

  In this way, the configuration list generation unit 24 acquires and narrows down the input information representing the additional request until the plurality of configuration lists can be narrowed down to one.

  Further, the configuration list generation unit 24 outputs the configuration list to the management device 40 described later when the input information indicating approval is acquired for the narrowed configuration list. If the input information indicating that the request is not approved is acquired, the configuration list generation unit 24 instructs the request list generation unit 23 to acquire the input information indicating the changed request.

  When a changed request list is generated based on the input information representing the changed request and a configuration list is generated based on the changed request list, the generated configuration list is also referred to as a changed configuration list. Describe.

  Next, the virtual server construction environment 30 will be described.

  In the virtual server construction environment 30, the CPU 3001 of each physical server device 300 constructs a virtual server having a configuration instructed from the management device 40 described later on the own device by reading and executing the virtualization software. Further, the CPU 3001 deletes the constructed virtual server based on an instruction from the management device 40. In addition, the constructed virtual server transmits various types of information necessary for connection and operation to itself to the management apparatus 40. The virtual server construction environment 30 may be a so-called data center, for example.

  Next, each functional block of the management device 40 will be described.

  The virtual server construction unit 41 constructs a virtual server having a configuration based on the configuration list output from the configuration selection device 20 in the virtual server construction environment 30. Specifically, in the virtual server construction environment 30, the virtual server construction unit 41 performs the corresponding virtual server on the physical server device 300 having a physical resource capable of constructing a virtual machine having a configuration based on the configuration list. What is necessary is just to transmit the information which instruct | indicates construction.

  The virtual server construction unit 41 may receive the changed configuration list from the configuration selection device 20 after constructing a virtual server having a configuration based on the configuration list. In this case, the virtual server construction unit 41 may transmit information instructing the virtual server construction environment 30 to delete the already constructed virtual server. Then, the virtual server construction unit 41 constructs a virtual server having a configuration based on the changed configuration list in the virtual server construction environment 30.

  The access environment providing unit 42 provides an access environment to the constructed virtual server. Specifically, the access environment providing unit 42 receives information necessary for connection and operation with the virtual server from the virtual server construction environment 30. Then, the access environment providing unit 42 provides the user with an environment for accessing the virtual server via its own device.

  The operation of the configuration selection system 2 configured as described above will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, an outline of the operation of the configuration selection system 2 is shown in the sequence diagram of FIG.

  In FIG. 14, first, the request list generation unit 23 of the configuration selection device 20 acquires input information representing a request related to device specifications (step S <b> 21).

  Next, the request list generation unit 23 extracts related words from the input information, and generates a request list based on the extracted related words (step S22). Details of this step will be described later.

  Next, the configuration list generation unit 24 generates a configuration list based on the generated request list and the information stored in the specification storage unit 12 (step S23). Details of this step will be described later.

  Next, the virtual server construction unit 41 of the management device 40 transmits information instructing construction of a virtual server based on the configuration of the configuration list to the virtual server construction environment 30 (step S24).

  Next, the virtual server construction environment 30 constructs a virtual server having the instructed configuration (step S25).

  Next, the virtual server construction environment 30 transmits information necessary for accessing the constructed virtual server to the management device 40 (step S26).

  Next, the access environment providing unit 42 of the management device 40 provides the user with an access environment to the virtual server using information necessary for accessing the virtual server (step S27).

  Above, description of the outline of operation | movement of the structure selection system 2 is complete | finished.

  Next, FIG. 15 shows details of an operation in which the request list generation unit 23 generates a request list in step S22.

  In FIG. 15, first, the request list generation unit 23 converts input information into text information as necessary, decomposes the converted text information into word units, and extracts words (step S31).

  Next, the request list generation unit 23 selects one extracted word (step S32).

  Next, the request list generation unit 23 determines whether or not the selected word is stored as a related word in the related word storage unit 11 (step S33).

  When it is determined that the corresponding word is stored as a related word, the request list generation unit 23 registers the word in the request list as a required specification of the category of the related word (step S34).

  If there is an unprocessed word extracted from the input information (Yes in step S35), the request list generation unit 23 repeats the process from step S32.

  Even when it is determined in step S33 that the corresponding word is not stored as a related word, if there is an unprocessed word extracted from the input information (Yes in step S35), the request list generation unit 23 Repeats the process from step S32.

  On the other hand, when the processing is completed for all the words extracted from the input information (No in step S35), the operation of the request list generation unit 23 proceeds to the next step. That is, the request list generation unit 23 determines whether there is a category that requires additional input information among element categories or incidental categories for which words that match the related words have not been extracted (step S36).

  Here, it is assumed that a category requiring additional input information is determined in advance.

  If there are categories that require additional input information, the request list generation unit 23 acquires additional input information for those categories (step S37).

  As described above, the request list generation unit 23 may output information that prompts input of a request for the corresponding category, and may acquire information that is input according to the output.

  Then, the request list generation unit 23 repeats the operation from step S31.

  If it is determined in step S36 that there is no category that requires additional input information, the request list generation unit 23 ends the operation of generating the request list.

  Next, FIG. 16 shows details of the operation in which the configuration list generation unit 24 generates the configuration list in step S23.

  In FIG. 16, the configuration list generation unit 24 selects one of the element categories for which the required specifications are registered in the request list (step S41).

  Next, the configuration list generation unit 24 searches the specification storage unit 12 for a component having a specification similar to the required specification of the element category (step S42).

  Here, a case where such a component is stored in the specification storage unit 12 will be described (Yes in step S43). In this case, the configuration list generation unit 24 searches the specification storage unit 12 for a server device that includes the component and the component already included in the configuration list in the component list (step S44).

  Here, when such a server device is stored in the specification storage unit 12 (Yes in step S45), the configuration list generation unit 24 determines that the specification attached to the server device is the required specification of the attached category in the request list. It is judged whether it is similar to (step S46).

  Here, when the specification attached to the server device is similar to the required specification of the attached category, the configuration list generation unit 24 adds the component searched in step S42 to the configuration list (step S47).

  Then, if there is an unprocessed element category in which the required specification is registered in the request list (Yes in step S48), the configuration list generating unit 24 repeats the operation from step S41.

  On the other hand, a case will be described where, in step S46, the specifications attached to the server device are not similar to the required specifications of the attached category. In this case, if there is an unprocessed element category in which the required specification is registered in the request list (Yes in step S48), the configuration list generation unit 24 repeats the operation from step S41.

  A case where it is determined in step S43 that the corresponding component is not stored in the specification storage unit 12 will be described. Also in this case, if there is an unprocessed element category in which the required specification is registered in the request list (Yes in step S48), the configuration list generation unit 24 repeats the operation from step S41.

  A case where it is determined in step S45 that the corresponding server device is not stored in the specification storage unit 12 will be described. Also in this case, if there is an unprocessed element category in which the required specification is registered in the request list (Yes in step S48), the configuration list generation unit 24 repeats the operation from step S41.

Next, when the processing is completed for all element categories for which requirement specifications are registered in the request list (No in step S48), the configuration list generation unit 24 includes an element category in which no component is registered in the configuration list. (Step S49)
Here, when there is an element category in which no component is registered, the configuration list generation unit 24 searches the specification storage unit 12 for a server device based on the configuration list. Then, the configuration list generation unit 24 searches for a component that is not yet included in the configuration list from the searched component list of the server device, and adds it to the configuration list (step S50).

  At this time, a plurality of corresponding server devices are searched from the specification storage unit 12, and in the component list of each searched server device, the components that are not yet included in the configuration list may be different. In this case, the configuration list generation unit 24 generates a plurality of configuration lists by adding the corresponding configuration elements to the configuration list so far.

  Then, the configuration list generator 24 repeats the operation from step S49.

  FIG. 17 shows the continuation of the operation when it is determined in step S49 that there is no element category in which no component is registered.

  In FIG. 17, first, the configuration list generation unit 24 outputs the configuration of the server device based on each of the generated one or more configuration lists so as to be comparable with the required specifications included in the request list (step S51).

  Here, when a plurality of configuration lists are generated (Yes in step S52), the configuration list generation unit 24 uses the request list generation unit 23 to acquire additional input information for narrowing down the configuration list ( Step S53).

  Then, the request list generation unit 23 extracts related words from the additional input information, and adds an additional required specification to the request list (step S54). The details of this step are the same as the operation described with reference to FIG.

  Next, the configuration list generation unit 24 narrows down a plurality of configuration lists based on the added request list. In other words, the configuration list generation unit 24 selects a configuration list having specifications more similar to the required specifications of the category newly added to the request list (step S55). Here, the number of configuration lists after narrowing down is not necessarily one, but the operations of steps S51 to S55 are repeated until narrowing down to one.

  Then, the configuration list generator 24 repeats the operation from step S51.

  A case where a plurality of configuration lists are not generated in step S52 (or a case where the configuration list is narrowed down to one) will be described. In this case, the configuration list generator 24 acquires input information indicating whether or not to approve the configuration list output in step S51 (step S56).

  Here, when input information representing approval is acquired (Yes in step S57), the configuration list generation unit 24 determines to adopt the configuration list at this time (step S58), and ends the operation.

  On the other hand, when information indicating that the information is not approved is acquired (No in step S57), the configuration selection device 20 discards the request list and the configuration list generated so far, and performs the operation from step S21 in FIG. 14 again. Run.

  Above, description of the operation | movement which produces | generates a structure list is complete | finished.

  Next, after the virtual server is constructed and the access environment is provided by the operation illustrated in FIG. 14, it is assumed that the user evaluates the configuration of the server device that is virtually realized by the virtual server. Then, it is assumed that the user changes the configuration of the device based on the evaluation result. In this case, information representing the changed request is input to the configuration selection device 20. The subsequent operation of the configuration selection system 2 is shown in the sequence diagram of FIG.

  In FIG. 18, first, the request list generation unit 23 of the configuration selection device 20 acquires input information representing the changed request (step S61).

  Next, the request list generation unit 23 extracts the related words stored in the related word storage unit 11 from the input information, and generates a changed request list based on the extracted related words (step S62). The details of this step are the same as the request list generation operation in step S22 described with reference to FIG.

  Next, the configuration list generator 24 changes the configuration list based on the changed request list and the information stored in the specification storage unit 12 (step S63). The details of this step are the same as the configuration list generation operation in step S23 described with reference to FIGS.

  Next, the virtual server construction unit 41 of the management device 40 transmits information instructing construction of a virtual server based on the configuration of the changed configuration list to the virtual server construction environment 30 (step S64).

  Next, the virtual server construction environment 30 constructs a new virtual server based on the changed configuration (step S65). At this point, the virtual server construction environment 30 may delete the previous virtual server.

  Next, the virtual server construction environment 30 transmits information necessary for access to the newly constructed virtual server to the management device 40 (step S66).

  Next, the access environment providing unit 42 of the management apparatus 40 provides the user with an access environment to the new virtual server using information necessary for accessing the new virtual server (step S67).

  Thereby, the user can evaluate the configuration of the server device using the changed new virtual server.

  Next, it is assumed that the evaluation of the configuration of the server device by the user has been completed. The operation of the configuration selection system 2 in this case is shown in the sequence diagram of FIG.

  In FIG. 19, first, the virtual server construction unit 41 of the management device 40 acquires input information indicating the completion of evaluation (step S71).

  Next, the virtual server construction unit 41 transmits information for instructing deletion of the constructed virtual server to the virtual server construction environment 30 (step S72).

  Next, the virtual server construction environment 30 deletes the constructed virtual server (step S73).

  Thus, the device selection system 2 ends the operation.

  Next, the effect of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The configuration selection system as the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention can select a configuration of a device that further meets the user's request.

  The reason will be described. In the present embodiment, the configuration selection device includes the following configuration in addition to the same configuration as that of the first embodiment of the present invention. That is, a configuration in which the configuration list generation unit includes a combination of configuration elements already included in the configuration list in the configuration list of the server apparatus whose configuration list is similar to the required specifications of the associated category in the request list. Search from the specification storage unit. This is because the configuration list generation unit adds, to the configuration list, components that are not yet included in the configuration list among the components included in the searched component list of the server device.

  As a result, this embodiment includes, in the configuration list, constituent elements that satisfy the required specifications of the accompanying category by combining with other constituent elements even for the element category for which the input information does not include a request. Can do. As a result, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to drop a user request that is insufficient with respect to the specifications of the server device into a more detailed configuration list.

  Other reasons will be described. In the present embodiment, the configuration selection device further includes the following configuration in addition to the same configuration as that of the first embodiment of the present invention. That is, the request list generation unit acquires additional input information for an element category or an accompanying category for which a related word has not been extracted. This is because the request list generation unit adds the required specifications to the request list by extracting the related words from the additional input information.

  As a result, according to the present embodiment, among the element categories or incidental categories for which the request is not included in the input information, categories that are important for configuring the device are added to the additional input information before dropping into the configuration list. The required specifications can be obtained as As a result, it is possible to drop a user request that has been lacking in the configuration of the apparatus into a more detailed requirement specification.

  Still another reason will be described. In the present embodiment, the configuration selection device further includes the following configuration in addition to the same configuration as that of the first embodiment of the present invention. That is, the configuration list generation unit outputs the specifications of the server device based on the configuration list so as to be comparable with the required specifications included in the request list. Further, when the configuration list generation unit generates a plurality of configuration lists, the plurality of configuration lists are narrowed down to a smaller number of configuration lists based on the additional input information. Then, when the configuration list generation unit acquires input information representing approval for the configuration list narrowed down to one, the adoption of the configuration list is determined and output.

  In this way, the present embodiment outputs the configuration of the server device based on each of the generated one or more configuration lists in comparison with the required specifications, so that each configuration list conforms to the user's request. It is possible to make the user confirm whether or not there is more clearly. Further, in the present embodiment, when a plurality of configuration lists are generated, an additional request for narrowing down the configuration list is made after the user confirms the configuration of the server device based on each of the configuration lists. You can prompt for input. As a result, the present embodiment can employ a configuration list that is more suitable for the user's request.

  Further, as a further effect, the present embodiment can quickly provide an evaluation environment for an apparatus having a selected configuration, and further provides a configuration change based on the evaluation result and an evaluation environment after the change. Can be easily realized.

  The reason will be described. In the present embodiment, in the management device, the virtual server construction unit creates a virtual server having a configuration based on the configuration list generated by the configuration selection device in the virtual server construction environment. This is because the access environment providing unit provides an access environment to the constructed virtual server. Also, based on the evaluation result, when input information representing the changed request is input to the configuration selection device by the user, the configuration selection device changes the configuration list by generating a changed request list. Because it does. This is because the management apparatus constructs a new virtual server in the virtual server construction environment based on the changed configuration list.

  Thereby, since this embodiment constructs a virtual server as an evaluation environment of the selected configuration, the user does not need to consider the purchase or installation location of the device of the selected configuration. Furthermore, when changing the configuration of the device based on the evaluation result, the user does not need to re-purchase the device, and promptly changes the configuration so as to further meet the revised request and performs the reevaluation. It becomes possible.

  The present embodiment is not limited to the use for selecting and evaluating the configuration of the physical server device, but can also be applied to the use for selecting and operating the configuration of the virtual server.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the example of the information memorize | stored in a related word memory | storage part and a specification memory | storage part was shown in FIGS. 7-10, the content and format of the information memorize | stored in these memory | storage parts are limited. Not.

  In the present embodiment, examples of the request list and the configuration list are shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, but the content and format of the information generated as the request list and the configuration list are not limited.

  In the present embodiment, an example of an output form in which the configuration of the apparatus based on the configuration list and the required specifications can be compared is shown in FIG. 13, but the output form in which these pieces of information can be compared is not limited.

  In the present embodiment, specific examples of the element category and the accompanying category are shown in the drawings. However, the element category and the accompanying category are not limited to these.

  In addition, the configuration selection device according to the present embodiment is not limited to the server device, but can be applied to other devices capable of selecting a component.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments of the present invention, description has been made mainly on an example in which each functional block of the configuration selection device or the management device is realized by a CPU that executes a computer program stored in a storage device or a memory. . However, the present invention is not limited to this, and some, all, or a combination of each functional block may be realized by dedicated hardware.

  In each of the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the configuration selection device or the management device may be implemented by being distributed among a plurality of devices.

  In the above-described second embodiment of the present invention, the configuration selection device and the management device may be realized on the same physical computer device.

  In the above-described second embodiment of the present invention, the configuration selection device or the management device may be realized on a device included in the virtual server construction environment.

  In each of the embodiments of the present invention described above, the operation of the configuration selection apparatus described with reference to the flowcharts is stored in a storage device (storage medium) of the computer apparatus as a computer program of the present invention. Then, the computer program may be read and executed by the CPU. In such a case, the present invention is constituted by the code of the computer program or a storage medium.

  Moreover, each embodiment mentioned above can be implemented in combination as appropriate.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes.

2 Configuration Selection System 10, 20 Configuration Selection Device 11 Related Word Storage Unit 12 Specification Storage Unit 13, 23 Request List Generation Unit 14, 24 Configuration List Generation Unit 30 Virtual Server Construction Environment 300 Physical Server Device 40 Management Device 41 Virtual Server Construction Unit 42 Access environment providing unit 1001, 3001, 4001 CPU
1002, 3002, 4002 Memory 1003 Output device 1004 Input device 1005, 3005, 4005 Network interface 3006 Resource

Claims (9)

Stores related words, which are related keywords, for each element category that is a category of components that can constitute a device for which a configuration is to be selected, and for each associated category that is a category of specifications that accompany the configuration of the device. Related word storage unit,
For each configuration that can be adopted as the device, a specification storage unit that stores a list of components that configure the device and specifications that accompany the configuration of the device,
The related word stored in the related word storage unit is extracted from the input information input as a request related to the specification of the device, and the required specification required for each element category and the accompanying information are extracted based on the extracted related word A request list generation unit that generates a request list including the required specifications required for each category;
By referring to the requirement list and the specification storage unit, the configuration list is composed of components having specifications similar to the requirement specifications of the element category, and combinations of the components of the configuration list are included in the component list. A configuration list generating unit that generates and outputs a configuration list similar to the required specifications of the accompanying category, the specifications associated with the configuration of the included device;
A device for selecting a configuration.   The configuration list generation unit stores, in the specification storage, a device in which a specification associated with a configuration of a device that includes a combination of components already included in the configuration list in the component list is similar to a required specification of the associated category. 2. The component that is searched from the component and included in the component list of the searched device and not yet included in the component list is added to the component list. The configuration selection device described.   The request list generation unit adds a required specification to the request list by acquiring additional input information and extracting the related word for the element category or the accompanying category from which the related word has not been extracted. The configuration selection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein   The configuration list generation unit, when generating a plurality of the configuration lists, narrows down the plurality of configuration lists to a smaller number of configuration lists based on additional input information. 4. The configuration selecting device according to any one of 3 above.   The said structure list production | generation part outputs the specification of the said apparatus based on the said structure list so that a comparison with the requirement specification contained in the said request | requirement list is possible, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. The configuration selection device described. When the device for which the configuration is selected is a server device,
The configuration selection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A virtual server construction environment capable of constructing a virtual server with the specified configuration;
Management having a virtual server construction unit that transmits information instructing to construct a virtual server having a configuration based on the configuration list to the virtual server construction environment, and an access environment provision unit that provides an access environment to the virtual server Equipment,
Configuration selection system with The configuration selection device changes the configuration list based on input information representing the changed request,
The configuration selection system according to claim 6, wherein the management device transmits information instructing to newly construct a virtual server having a configuration based on the changed configuration list to the virtual server construction environment. . Stores related words, which are related keywords, for each element category that is a category of components that can constitute a device for which a configuration is to be selected, and for each associated category that is a category of specifications that accompany the configuration of the device. The related word storage unit stores the specifications for each of the components, and for each configuration that can be adopted as the device, a specification memory that stores a list of components that constitute the device and specifications associated with the configuration of the device With the part
Extracting the related word stored in the related word storage unit from input information input as a request relating to the specifications of the device;
Based on the extracted related terms, a request list including a required specification required for each element category and a required specification required for each of the accompanying categories is generated,
By referring to the requirement list and the specification storage unit, the configuration list is composed of components having specifications similar to the requirement specifications of the element category, and combinations of the components of the configuration list are included in the component list. A method for generating and outputting a configuration list in which specifications associated with the configuration of a device to be included are similar to the required specifications of the associated category. Stores related words, which are related keywords, for each element category that is a category of components that can constitute a device for which a configuration is to be selected, and for each associated category that is a category of specifications that accompany the configuration of the device. The related word storage unit stores the specifications for each of the components, and for each configuration that can be adopted as the device, a specification memory that stores a list of components that constitute the device and specifications associated with the configuration of the device With the part
The related word stored in the related word storage unit is extracted from the input information input as a request related to the specification of the device, and the required specification required for each element category and the accompanying information are extracted based on the extracted related word A request list generating step for generating a request list including the required specifications required for each category;
By referring to the requirement list and the specification storage unit, the configuration list is composed of components having specifications similar to the requirement specifications of the element category, and combinations of the components of the configuration list are included in the component list. A configuration list generation step for generating and outputting a configuration list similar to the required specifications of the accompanying category, the specifications associated with the configuration of the included device;
That causes a computer device to execute the program.

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