JP6686519B2 - Configuration selecting device, configuration selecting system, method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for selecting a device configuration.

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

  A server device is an example of such a device. When introducing a server device, a lot of work is required, such as examination of the hardware configuration, selection of the configuration based on the examination result, purchase of the server device of the selected configuration, and evaluation of the purchased server device. As a technique for supporting such work, there is a configuration support service provided by a manufacturer of the server device on a website or the like.

  Further, it takes a lot of cost and time to purchase and evaluate the server device having the selected configuration. Further, depending on the evaluation result, it may be necessary to re-examine the hardware configuration, select the server device, purchase and evaluate again, which may result in additional costs and time.

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

  For example, the related technique described in Patent Document 1 builds a virtual machine that matches the hardware information, resource information, application, used application, etc. input as conditions.

  Further, the related art described in Patent Document 2 decomposes a request regarding a machine resource into conditions for each class such as an OS (Operating System), a virtual machine, and a physical machine, and creates an instance of the virtual machine that satisfies the condition. .

JP, 2011-242964, A JP, 2009-245409, A

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

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

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

  Further, the related technique described in Patent Document 2 causes a condition regarding a machine resource to be input for each class. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult for a user who does not organize the requests for each class, to obtain a configuration in which the required conditions are appropriately reflected.

  Further, the request regarding the configuration of the device includes not only the request regarding the individual constituent elements but also the request regarding the specifications accompanying the configuration of the device such as power consumption and price. The specifications associated with the device configuration may change depending on the combination of the components. However, these related technologies consider the requirements concerning the individual components, but do not consider the requirements concerning the specifications associated with the configuration of the device. Therefore, in these related technologies, even if a configuration that meets the requirements of each component is selected, the specifications accompanying the configuration of the device may not satisfy the user's requirements depending on the combination of those components. Let In that case, the user must redo the configuration selection again. Therefore, these related technologies have a problem that it is difficult not only for a user who does not organize the requirements but also for a user who organizes the requirements to obtain a configuration that appropriately reflects the requirements.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. That is, it is an object of the present invention to provide a technique for selecting a device configuration 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 that is a target of configuration selection, 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 a related word that is a keyword and a specification for each of the constituent elements, and a list of constituent elements that configure the apparatus and a configuration of the apparatus for each configuration that can be adopted as the apparatus. A specification storage unit storing associated specifications, and extracting the related word stored in the related word storage unit from input information input as a request regarding the specification of the device, and based on the extracted related word, the element A requirement list generation unit that generates a requirement list including requirement specifications required for each category and requirement specifications required for each of the associated categories; By referring to the specification storage unit, a configuration list including components having specifications similar to the required specifications of the element category, the configuration of the device including a combination of components of the configuration list in the component list And a configuration list generation unit configured to generate and output a configuration list whose associated specifications are similar to the required specifications of the associated category.

  Further, the configuration selection system of the present invention, when the device for which a configuration is to be selected is a server device, the configuration selection device described above, and a virtual server construction environment capable of constructing a virtual server of the instructed configuration, A management having a virtual server construction unit that sends 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 And a device.

  In addition, the method of the present invention relates to each element category that is a category of constituent elements that can configure a device whose 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 a related word that is a keyword and a specification for each of the constituent elements, and a list of constituent elements that configure the apparatus and a configuration of the apparatus for each configuration that can be adopted as the apparatus. Using the specification storage unit that stores the accompanying specifications, the related words stored in the related word storage unit are extracted from the input information input as a request regarding the specifications of the device, and based on the extracted related words. , A requirement list including requirement specifications required for each of the element categories and requirement specifications required for each of the associated categories, and stores the requirement list and the specification storage unit. By contrast, the configuration list including the components having the specifications similar to the required specifications of the element category, the specification accompanying the configuration of the device including the combination of the components of the configuration list in the component list is , And generates and outputs a configuration list similar to the required specifications of the accompanying category.

  In addition, the program of the present invention relates to each element category that is a category of constituent elements that can configure a device whose configuration is to be selected, and to each accessory category that is a category of specifications that accompany the configuration of the device. A related word storage unit that stores a related word that is a keyword and a specification for each of the constituent elements, and a list of constituent elements that configure the apparatus and a configuration of the apparatus for each configuration that can be adopted as the apparatus. Using the specification storage unit that stores the accompanying specifications, the related words stored in the related word storage unit are extracted from the input information input as a request regarding the specifications of the device, and based on the extracted related words. A requirement list generating step of generating a requirement list including requirement specifications required for each of the element categories and requirement specifications required for each of the associated categories, A configuration list including components having specifications similar to the required specifications of the element category by referring to the request list and the specification storage unit, and the combination of the components of the configuration list is included in the component list. The computer apparatus is caused to execute a configuration list generating step of generating and outputting a configuration list having specifications associated with the configuration of the apparatus similar to the required specifications of the accessory category.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can provide a technique for selecting a device configuration that is 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 flow chart explaining an outline of operation of the composition selection device as a 1st embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating details of an operation of the configuration selection device as the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention to generate a configuration 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 the 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 the related word 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 the 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 requirement list 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 and request | requirement specification of the server apparatus based on the structure list output so that comparison is possible 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. 9 is a flowchart illustrating details of an operation of generating a request list by the configuration selection device according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a flow chart explaining details of operation which the composition selection device in a 2nd embodiment of the present invention generates a composition 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 which the configuration 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 according to the first exemplary 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. The device for which the configuration is selected includes a server device or another electronic device. The device for which the configuration is selected may be another device capable of selecting the component.

  Here, the configuration selection device 10 can be configured by hardware elements as shown 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 (hard disk, etc.), and the like. The output device 1003 is configured by a device that outputs information, such as a display device, a printer, or a speaker. The input device 1004 is configured by a device such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a microphone that receives an input of a user operation. The network interface 1005 is an interface for connecting to a 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 are configured by 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. . The hardware configurations of the configuration selecting device 10 and its functional blocks are not limited to the above configurations.

  Next, details of the functional blocks of the configuration selection device 10 will be described.

  The related word storage unit 11 stores, for each element category and each associated category, a related word that is a keyword related to the category. The element category is a category of constituent elements that can configure the device for which the configuration is selected. Further, the associated category is a category of specifications associated with the configuration of such a device. The accompanying category is a category of specifications that can change according to the combination of the constituent elements that configure the device. The element category and the accompanying category are collectively referred to 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 model number of a component that is a component. Further, the specification storage unit 12 stores, for each configuration that can be adopted as a device, a list of constituent elements that configure the device and specifications associated with the configuration of the device.

  The request list generation unit 13 acquires the input information input as a request regarding the specifications of the device. 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. The input information may include information representing voice, 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 word stored in the related word storage unit 11 from the acquired input information. If the input information includes a voice, the request list generation unit 13 may convert the voice into text information using a known voice 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 decompose the text information obtained from the input information into word units to extract words, and may search the extracted words that match the related word.

  Further, the request list generation unit 13 generates a request list for each category based on the extracted related words. Here, the requirement list is information including requirement specifications required for each element category and requirement specifications required for each associated category. Specifically, the request list generation unit 13 may generate, as a request list, information in which the extracted related word is associated with the category to which the extracted related word is related.

  The configuration list generation unit 14 generates the 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 associated with the configuration of the device that includes the combination of the components of the configuration list in the component list are similar to the required specifications of the associated category. I do. For example, the configuration list may be a list of information (for example, the model number of a part) that identifies a component.

  The configuration list generation unit 14 can adopt various determination criteria to determine whether the specifications are similar to the required specifications. For example, the configuration list generation unit 14 may determine whether the specification is similar to the required specification based on the similarity between the character string indicating the specification and the character string indicating the required specification. A known technique may be used to calculate the similarity between the character strings. Alternatively, the configuration list generation unit 14 determines whether the specification is similar to the required specification based on whether the numerical value indicating the specification is within a predetermined range based on the numerical value indicating the required specification. May be. In addition, the configuration list generation unit 14 may determine whether the specifications are similar to the required specifications by using other determination criteria. Further, such a criterion may be set for each element category and each associated 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 selecting apparatus 10 configured as above will be described with reference to FIG.

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

  Next, the request list generation unit 13 extracts the related word stored in the related word storage unit 11 from the input information. Then, the requirement list generation unit 13 generates a requirement list including the requirement specifications for each element category and the requirement specifications for each associated category based on the extracted related words (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 word units, and then extracts and requests related words. You can generate a list.

  Next, the configuration list generation unit 14 generates a configuration list based on the request list and the information stored in the specification storage unit 12. Here, the configuration list generation unit 14 includes a component having specifications similar to the required specifications of the element category in the configuration list. At this time, the configuration list generation unit 14 includes the configurations included in the configuration list such that the specifications associated with the configuration of the device including the combination of the components included in the configuration list in the component 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 selecting apparatus 10 ends the operation.

  Next, FIG. 4 shows the details of the operation of the configuration list generation unit 14 to generate the 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, and selects it (step S11).

  Next, the configuration list generation unit 14 searches the specification storage unit 12 for information on a device that includes in the component list a combination of the components already included in the configuration list and the component selected this time (step S12).

  Next, the configuration list generation unit 14 determines whether the specifications attached to the retrieved device configuration are similar to the required specifications of the attached category in the request list (step S13).

  Here, when the specifications attached to the retrieved device configuration are similar to the required specifications of the attached category, the configuration list generation unit 14 adds the selected component to the configuration list (step S14).

  On the other hand, if the specifications attached to the retrieved device configuration are not similar to the required specifications of the attached category, the configuration list generation unit 14 does not add the selected component to the configuration list.

  Then, if the request list includes the required specifications of the element category that has not been processed (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.

  This is the end of the description of the operation of the configuration prediction device 10.

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

  The configuration selecting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention can select the configuration of the device that is more suitable for the user's request.

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

  By using the present embodiment configured as described above, the user only needs to input the request regarding the specifications of the device without specially organizing the information. Then, in the present embodiment, based on such input information, not only the requirements for the constituent elements of the apparatus are considered, but also the requirements regarding the specifications accompanying the configuration of the apparatus are considered. As a result, in the present embodiment, it is possible to select and present to the user the configuration of the device that is more suitable for the user's request.

  On the other hand, when using the related technology described in the background art, the user selects the constituent elements that meet the requirements for each element category, and then the specifications associated with the configuration of the device including the selected combination of constituent elements. Will be confirmed whether or not the user's request is satisfied. If the selected combination of components does not meet the requirements of the specifications associated with the configuration of the device, the user needs to redo selection for each element category, which takes time to select the configuration of the device.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to organize the user's request into the configuration list without causing such a rework, and as a result, it is possible to select a device configuration that is more suitable for the request.

(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 will be described in which the device whose configuration is to be predicted is a server device. In each of the drawings referred to in the description of the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment of the present invention and steps operating in the same manner are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description of the present embodiment will be given. The description is omitted.

  First, FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the configuration selection system 2 according to the 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. Further, 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 the configuration list generation unit 14. The difference is that the configuration list generator 24 is included. The management device 40 also includes a virtual server construction unit 41 and an access environment providing unit 42. In addition, the virtual server construction environment 30 has one or a plurality of physical physical server devices 300. Although FIG. 6 shows three physical server devices 300, the number of physical server devices 300 is not limited.

  Here, each device constituting the configuration selection system 2 can be configured 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 exemplary 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. The network interface 3005 is an interface for connecting to a 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 the server device for which the configuration is selected. Virtualization software for building a virtual machine is stored in the memory 3002 of each server 300.

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

  Note that the hardware configurations of the respective devices and their functional blocks constituting the configuration selection system 2 are not limited to the above configurations.

  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 similarly to the first embodiment of this invention. As described above, in the present embodiment, the server device is assumed as the device whose configuration is to be selected. 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 related words stored in the related word storage unit 11 for each element category. In this example, related words are stored for each element category such as CPU, chipset, and memory. These element categories represent categories of constituent elements that can configure the server device.

  FIG. 8 is an example of related words stored in the related word storage unit 11 for each associated category. In this example, related words are stored for each associated category such as power consumption, external shape, and price. These accompanying categories are categories of specifications accompanying the configuration of the server device. The specifications of the associated category may change depending on the combination of the constituent elements that configure the server device.

  Further, 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”, “zzzzz” is stored as the specification for the constituent element of which the CPU model number is “AAAAAA”.

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

  The request list generation unit 23 has substantially the same configuration as the request list generation unit 13 according to 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 associated category from which the related word is not extracted, and adds the request specifications 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 to the output device 1003 information that prompts the user to input a request for the corresponding category. 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 words have not been extracted. For example, the request list generation unit 23 may acquire additional input information and add the request specifications to the request list for a predetermined category of the element category and the associated category from which the related word is not extracted. .

  Further, the request list generation unit 23 acquires the input information indicating the changed request regarding the specifications of the device. The input information indicating 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 generating unit 24. In this case, the request list generation unit 23 extracts a related word from the input information representing the changed request and generates a request list based on the extracted related word. The request list generated based on the input information representing the changed request will also be referred to as a changed request list hereinafter.

  In addition, the request list generation unit 23 acquires additional input information based on an instruction from the configuration list generation unit 24 described below. The instruction from the configuration list generation unit 24 is issued when it is necessary to narrow down a plurality of configuration lists. Also in this case, the request list generation unit 23 extracts a related word from the additional input information and adds an additional required specification to the request list based on the extracted related word.

  For example, FIG. 11 shows an example of the request list generated in this embodiment. In FIG. 11, the requirement list includes requirement specifications for each element category and requirement specifications for each associated category.

  The configuration list generation unit 24 has substantially the same configuration as the configuration list generation unit 14 according to 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 for which there is no requirement specification in the requirement list. That is, the configuration list generation unit 24 includes, in the configuration list, all the components that can be selected based on the required specifications included in the request list, and then searches the specification storage unit 12 for the server device based on the configuration list. Here, the server device based on the configuration list is a server device that includes a combination of the 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. It refers to a similar server device. 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 component list of the searched device.

  Further, the configuration list generation unit 24 may generate a plurality of configuration lists. For example, when adding a component for an element category for which there is no requirement specification to the requirement 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 a component that is 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 will be generated.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of the generated configuration list. In FIG. 12, the configuration list includes the model numbers of parts that are the components and the names of the components. Note that FIG. 12 is an example, and the configuration list may not necessarily include the model numbers and names of the components. The configuration list may include at least information that can identify each adopted configuration element.

  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 compare the required specifications of each element category and output the model numbers and specifications of the parts of the components included in the configuration list for the element category. The configuration list generation unit 24 may output the specifications associated with the configuration of the server device based on the configuration list, in comparison with the required specifications of each associated 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.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of such a display format that can be compared. In FIG. 13, each line from the first line to the eighth line indicates the required specifications and the model numbers and specifications of the components of the constituent elements included in the constituent list for each of the element categories. Further, each line from the 9th line onward shows the required specifications and the specifications associated with the configuration of the server device based on the configuration list for each of the associated categories. The output destination of the information by the configuration list generation unit 24 does not necessarily have to be the output device 1003 as the display device. For example, the output destination may be a printer or a speaker. The configuration list generation unit 24 may output the configuration and the required specifications of the server device based on the configuration list in a format suitable for the type of the output device 1003 so that they can be compared.

  In addition, 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 the configuration list generation unit 24 generates a plurality of configuration lists, the configuration list is narrowed down 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 the input information indicating the 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 the input information indicating the additional request, which is input to such an output. Such input information typically includes requests that allow multiple configuration lists to be narrowed down to a smaller number of configuration lists. Then, the request list generation unit 23 generates the additional request list based on the additional input information.

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

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

  In this way, the configuration list generation unit 24 acquires and narrows down the input information indicating 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 below 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 generating unit 24 instructs the request list generating unit 23 to acquire the input information indicating the changed request.

  When the changed request list is generated based on the input information indicating the changed request and the configuration list is generated based on the changed request list, the generated configuration list is also referred to as the changed configuration list. Enter.

  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 by the management device 40 described later on its own device by reading and executing the virtualization software. Further, the CPU 3001 deletes the constructed virtual server based on the instruction from the management device 40. Further, the constructed virtual server transmits various information necessary for connection and operation to itself to the management device 40. The virtual server construction environment 30 may be, for example, a so-called data center.

  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 sets a virtual server of a corresponding virtual server to a physical server device 300 having physical resources capable of constructing a virtual machine having a configuration based on the configuration list. All that is necessary is to send information instructing the construction.

  Further, the virtual server construction unit 41 may receive the changed configuration list from the configuration selecting device 20 after constructing the virtual server having the 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, from the virtual server construction environment 30, information necessary for connecting to and operating the virtual server. Then, the access environment providing unit 42 provides the user with an environment for accessing the virtual server via the own device.

  The operation of the configuration selection system 2 configured as 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 regarding device specifications (step S21).

  Next, the request list generation unit 23 extracts a related word from the input information and generates a request list based on the extracted related word (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 the construction of the 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 the virtual server having the instructed configuration (step S25).

  Next, the virtual server construction environment 30 transmits the 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 the access environment to the virtual server by using the information required to access the virtual server (step S27).

  This is the end of the outline of the operation of the configuration selection system 2.

  Next, FIG. 15 shows details of the operation of the request list generating unit 23 for generating a request list in step S22.

  In FIG. 15, first, the request list generation unit 23 converts the 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 the related word, the request list generation unit 23 registers the word in the request list as the required specification of the category of the related word (step S34).

  Then, if there is an unprocessed word extracted from the input information (Yes in step S35), the request list generation unit 23 repeats the processing 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 generating unit 23. Repeats the processing 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 or not there is a category that requires additional input information among the element categories or the associated categories in which the word matching the related word is not extracted (step S36).

  Here, it is assumed that the category for which additional input information is required is predetermined.

  Here, 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 a request list.

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

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

  Next, the configuration list generation unit 24 searches the specification storage unit 12 for a component having specifications similar to the required specifications 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, if 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 specifications associated with the server device are the required specifications of the associated category in the request list. (Step S46).

  Here, if the specifications associated with the server device are similar to the required specifications of the associated 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 specifications are registered in the request list (Yes in step S48), the configuration list generation unit 24 repeats the operation from step S41.

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

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

  A case will be described in which it is determined in step S45 that the corresponding server device is not stored in the specification storage unit 12. Also in this case, if there is an unprocessed element category for which the required specifications are 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 the element categories for which the requirement specifications are registered in the request list (No in step S48), the configuration list generation unit 24 has an element category in which the configuration element is not registered in the configuration list. It is determined whether or not (step S49)
Here, if there is an element category in which the component is not 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 the component list of the searched server device for a component that is not yet included in the configuration list and adds the component to the configuration list (step S50).

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

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

  Further, FIG. 17 shows a continuation of the operation when it is determined in step S49 that there is no element category in which a component is not 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 in a manner that can be compared with the required specifications included in the request list (step S51).

  Here, when a plurality of configuration lists have been 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 the related word from the additional input information and adds the 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 the configuration lists based on the added request list. That is, 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). Note that here, the number of the configuration lists after the narrowing down is not necessarily one, but the operations of steps S51 to S55 are repeated until the number is reduced to one.

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

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

  Here, when the input information indicating 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 the information indicating not to approve is acquired (No in step S57), the configuration selection device 20 discards the request list and the configuration list generated up to that point, and repeats the operation from step S21 of FIG. Run.

  This is the end of the description of the operation of generating the configuration list.

  Next, it is assumed that after the virtual server is constructed and the access environment is provided by the operation shown in FIG. 14, the user evaluates the configuration of the server device 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, the information indicating the changed request is input to the configuration selecting 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 the input information representing the changed request (step S61).

  Next, the request list generation unit 23 extracts the related word stored in the related word storage unit 11 from the input information and generates the changed request list based on the extracted related word (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 generation unit 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 generating operation in step S23 described with reference to FIGS.

  Next, the virtual server construction unit 41 of the management device 40 transmits information instructing the construction of the 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 newly constructs a 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 the information necessary for accessing the newly constructed virtual server to the management device 40 (step S66).

  Next, the access environment providing unit 42 of the management device 40 provides the user with the access environment to the new virtual server by using the information required to access 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 user has completed the evaluation of the configuration of the server device. 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 the input information indicating the evaluation completion (step S71).

  Next, the virtual server construction unit 41 transmits information instructing the 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 embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The configuration selection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention can select the configuration of the device which is more suitable for the user's request.

  The reason will be described. In the present embodiment, the configuration selection device has the following configuration in addition to the configuration similar to that of the first embodiment of the present invention. That is, the configuration list generation unit determines that the server device whose specifications accompanying the configuration of the server device that includes the combination of the components already included in the configuration list in the component list is similar to the required specifications of the associated category in the request list. , Search from the specification storage unit. Then, 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 retrieved component list of the server device.

  As a result, in the present embodiment, even for the element category for which the request was not included in the input information, the constituent list should include a constituent element that satisfies the required specifications of the associated category by combining with other constituent elements. You can As a result, according to the present embodiment, the user's request, which is insufficient for the specifications of the server device, can be put into a more detailed configuration list.

  Further, other reasons will be described. In the present embodiment, the configuration selection device further includes the following configuration in addition to the configuration similar to that of the first embodiment of the present invention. That is, the request list generation unit acquires additional input information for the element category or the associated category from which the related word is not extracted. Then, 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, of the element categories or the incidental categories for which the input information does not include the request, important categories for configuring the device are added to the additional input information before being dropped in the configuration list. You can get the required specifications as. As a result, the user's request, which is insufficient for the device configuration, can be reduced to more detailed request specifications.

  Further, another reason will be described. In the present embodiment, the configuration selection device further includes the following configuration in addition to the configuration similar to 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 in a manner that can be compared with the required specifications included in the request list. Further, when the configuration list generation unit generates a plurality of configuration lists, the 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 the input information indicating approval for the configuration list narrowed down to one, adoption of the configuration list is determined and output.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the configuration of the server device based on each of the generated one or more configuration lists is output in comparison with the required specifications, so that each configuration list conforms to the user's request. It is possible to make it easier for the user to confirm whether or not there is any. Further, in the present embodiment, when a plurality of configuration lists are generated, the user is asked to confirm the configurations of the server devices based on the respective configuration lists, and then an additional request for narrowing down the configuration list is made. You can prompt for input. As a result, the present embodiment can adopt a configuration list more suitable for the user's request.

  Further, as a further effect, the present embodiment can promptly provide the evaluation environment of the device having the selected configuration, and further, the configuration change based on the evaluation result and the provision of the 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 in the virtual server construction environment a virtual server having a configuration based on the configuration list generated by the configuration selection device. Then, the access environment providing unit provides the access environment to the constructed virtual server. When the user inputs the input information indicating the changed request to the configuration selecting device based on the evaluation result, the configuration selecting device changes the configuration list by generating the changed request list. Because it does. Then, the management device builds a new virtual server in the virtual server building environment based on the changed configuration list.

  As a result, in the present embodiment, the virtual server is constructed as the evaluation environment of the selected configuration, so that the user does not need to consider the purchase and installation place 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 repurchase the device, and promptly changes the configuration so as to further meet the revised request and re-evaluates. It becomes possible.

  The present embodiment is applicable not only to the purpose of selecting and evaluating the physical server device configuration, but also to the purpose of selecting and operating the virtual server configuration.

  Further, in the present embodiment, examples of information stored in the related word storage unit and the specification storage unit are shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, but the content and format of the information stored in these storage units are limited. Not done.

  Further, 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.

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

  Further, although specific examples of the element category and the incidental category are shown in the drawings in the present embodiment, the element category and the incidental category are not limited to these.

  Further, the configuration selection device according to the present embodiment is not limited to the server device, but can be applied to other devices that can select a component.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments of the present invention, an example has been mainly described 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. . Not limited to this, some or all of the functional blocks, or a combination thereof may be realized by dedicated hardware.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the configuration selection device or the management device may be realized by being distributed to a plurality of devices.

  Further, in the above-described second embodiment of the present invention, the configuration selection device and the management device may be physically implemented on the same computer device.

  Further, 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 addition, the operation of the configuration selecting device described with reference to each flowchart in each of the above-described embodiments of the present invention is stored in the storage device (storage medium) of the computer device as the computer program of the present invention. Then, the computer program may be read and executed by the CPU. Then, in such a case, the present invention is configured by the code of the computer program or the storage medium.

  Further, the above-described respective embodiments can be implemented in an appropriate combination.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned respective embodiments and can be implemented in various modes.

2 configuration selection system 10, 20 configuration selection device 11 related term 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)

A related word that is a related keyword is stored for each element category that is a category of constituent elements that can configure a device whose configuration is to be selected, and for each associated category that is a category of specifications associated with the configuration of the device. Related word storage section,
A specification storage unit that stores specifications for each of the constituent elements, and stores a list of constituent elements that configure the apparatus and specifications associated with the configuration of the apparatus for each configuration that can be adopted as the apparatus,
The related word stored in the related word storage unit is extracted from the input information input as a request relating to the specification of the device, and the required specification and the accompanying data required for each element category based on the extracted related word. A requirement list generation unit that generates a requirement list including requirement specifications required for each category,
By referring to the request list and the specification storage unit, a configuration list including components having specifications similar to the required specifications of the element category, and combining the components of the configuration list into the component list A specification associated with the configuration of the device including the configuration list generation unit that generates and outputs a configuration list similar to the required specifications of the accessory category,
Configuration selection device equipped with.   The configuration list generation unit stores, in the specification storage, a device whose specification associated with the configuration of the device including the combination of the components already included in the configuration list in the component list is similar to the required specification of the associated category. The component which is included in the component list of the searched device and which is not included in the configuration list is added to the configuration list, which is searched from the part. Described configuration selection device.   The requirement list generation unit adds requirement specifications to the requirement list by acquiring additional input information and extracting the related term for the element category or the incidental category from which the related term is not extracted. The configuration selection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein   The configuration list generation unit narrows the configuration lists to a smaller number of configuration lists based on additional input information when generating the configuration lists. 3. The configuration selection device according to any one of 3 above.   5. The configuration list generation unit outputs the specification of the device based on the configuration list in a manner that can be compared with the required specifications included in the request list. Described configuration selection device. When the device whose configuration is to be selected is a server device,
A 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 instructed configuration,
A management having a virtual server construction unit that sends 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 Device,
Configuration selection system equipped with. The configuration selection device changes the configuration list based on input information representing the changed request,
7. 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. . Computer
A related word that is a related keyword is stored for each element category that is a category of constituent elements that can configure a device whose configuration is to be selected, and for each associated category that is a category of specifications associated with the configuration of the device. And a related word storage unit that stores specifications for each of the constituent elements, and stores a list of constituent elements that configure the apparatus and specifications associated with the configuration of the apparatus for each of the configurations that can be adopted as the apparatus. With the section and
Extracting the related word stored in the related word storage unit from the input information input as a request regarding the specification of the device,
Generate a requirement list including requirement specifications required for each element category and requirement specifications required for each associated category based on the extracted related words;
By referring to the request list and the specification storage unit, a configuration list including components having specifications similar to the required specifications of the element category, and combining the components of the configuration list into the component list A method of generating and outputting a configuration list in which the specifications associated with the configuration of the device including the one are similar to the required specifications of the associated category.
A related word that is a related keyword is stored for each element category that is a category of constituent elements that can configure a device whose configuration is to be selected, and for each associated category that is a category of specifications associated with the configuration of the device. And a related word storage unit that stores specifications for each of the constituent elements, and stores a list of constituent elements that configure the apparatus and specifications associated with the configuration of the apparatus for each of the configurations that can be adopted as the apparatus. With the section and
The related word stored in the related word storage unit is extracted from the input information input as a request relating to the specification of the device, and the required specification and the accompanying data required for each element category based on the extracted related word. A requirement list generation step of generating a requirement list including requirement specifications required for each category,
By referring to the request list and the specification storage unit, a configuration list including components having specifications similar to the required specifications of the element category, and combining the components of the configuration list into the component list A specification associated with the configuration of the device including the configuration list generating step of generating and outputting a configuration list similar to the required specifications of the accessory category;
A program that causes a computer device to execute.

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