Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L43/00—Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L41/00—Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
  • H04L41/08—Configuration management of networks or network elements
  • H04L41/0894—Policy-based network configuration management
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L41/00—Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
  • H04L41/14—Network analysis or design
  • H04L41/149—Network analysis or design for prediction of maintenance
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L41/00—Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
  • H04L41/50—Network service management, e.g. ensuring proper service fulfilment according to agreements
  • H04L41/5003—Managing SLA; Interaction between SLA and QoS
  • H04L41/5019—Ensuring fulfilment of SLA
  • H04L41/5025—Ensuring fulfilment of SLA by proactively reacting to service quality change, e.g. by reconfiguration after service quality degradation or upgrade
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L47/00—Traffic control in data switching networks
  • H04L47/70—Admission control; Resource allocation
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L41/00—Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
  • H04L41/08—Configuration management of networks or network elements
  • H04L41/0803—Configuration setting
  • H04L41/0813—Configuration setting characterised by the conditions triggering a change of settings
  • H04L41/0816—Configuration setting characterised by the conditions triggering a change of settings the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L43/00—Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
  • H04L43/16—Threshold monitoring

Definitions

• the present invention provides resource-aware management of request traffic based on a management policy. Specifically, the present invention provides management of request traffic based on the performance of system resources in response to the request traffic.
• a need for a resource-aware management of request traffic based on a management policy there exists a need for a resource-aware management of request traffic based on a management policy. Specifically, a need exists for a system that manages request traffic based on specific resources that are approaching overload conditions. A further need exists for a performance of system resources to be monitored in response to request traffic, and based on a management policy, corrective actions to be taken when a system resource is approaching overload conditions. An additional need exists for the management policy to be changed based on a performance history of implemented corrective actions.
• the present invention provides resource- ware management of request traffic based on a management policy.
• a management policy Specifically, under the present invention, the performance of a set (i.e., one or more) of system resources is monitored in response to request traffic.
• a corrective action is identified from the management policy and then implemented.
• the corrective action is typically identified based on the system resource that is approaching overload so that an appropriate and effective corrective action will be implemented.
• the management policy can be changed under the present invention to account for performance histories of the corrective actions. This allows ineffective corrective actions to be discarded and new corrective actions to be implemented.
• a resource-aware system for managing request traffic based on a management policy.
• the system comprises: (1) an analyzer system for monitoring a performance of a set of system resources in response to the request traffic, and for determining when at least one of the set of system resources is approaching an overload condition based on the management policy; and (2) a planning system for identifying a corrective action to avoid the overload condition, wherein the corrective action is identified based on the at least one system resource that is approaching the overload condition and the management policy.
• a resource-aware method for managing request traffic based on a management policy comprises: (1) receiving the request traffic; (2) monitoring a performance of a set of system resources in response to the request traffic; (3) determining when at least one of the set of system resources is approaching an overload condition based on the management policy; and (4) identifying a corrective action to avoid the overload condition based on the at least one system resource that is approaching the overload condition and the management policy.
• a program product stored on a recordable medium for managing request traffic based on a management policy When executed, the program product comprises: (1) program code for monitoring performance of a set of system resources in response to incoming request traffic, and for determining when at least one of the set of system resources is approaching an overload condition based on the management policy; and (2) program code for identifying and implementing a corrective action to avoid the overload condition, wherein the corrective action is identified based on the at least one system resource that is approaching the overload condition and the management policy.
• the present invention provides a resource-aware system, method and program product for managing request traffic based on a management policy.
• Fig. 1 depicts a resource-aware system for managing request traffic based on a management policy according to the present invention
• FIG. 2 depicts more detailed diagram of the system of Fig. 1;
• FIG. 3 depicts a method flow diagram according to the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention
• the present invention provides a resource-aware system, method and program product for managing request traffic based on a management policy.
• a performance of a set (i.e., one or more) of system resources is monitored in response to request traffic.
• a corrective action is identified from the management policy and then implemented.
• the corrective action is typically identified based on the system resource that is approaching overload so that an appropriate and effective corrective action will be implemented.
• the management policy can be changed under the present invention to account for performance histories of the corrective actions. This allows ineffective corrective actions to be discarded and new corrective actions to be implemented.
• enterprise system 10 generally includes entry point node 12 and system resources 14.
• Enterprise system 10 is intended to represent any type of computer infrastructure that can process requests from clients 16.
• enterprise system 10 could be the internal computing infrastructure use by a retail company.
• clients 16 are intended to represent any system capable of generating and transmitting requests to enterprise system 10.
• clients 16 could be web users attempting to order goods from the retail company.
• clients 16 could be employees of the retail company attempting to perform work-related tasks.
• Entry point node 12 is intended to represent any node that receives and routes incoming request traffic 18 among system resources 14.
• entry point node 12 could be a load balancer, a request router, etc.
• system resources 14 generally include a network 12, one or more servers 26 and one or more storage units 28. It should be understood, however, that such system resources are shown for illustrative purposes only and that the teachings of the present invention could be implemented with any type and/or quantity of system resources.
• management system 30 Shown loaded on entry point node 12 is management system 30.
• management system includes analyzer system 32, planning system 34 that includes corrective action system 36 and learning system 38, and storage system 40.
• Storage system 40 could be local (as shown) or remote and provides storage for information under the present invention.
• information could include, among other things, a management policy, a record of requests received, performance history of corrective actions, etc.
• the management policy sets forth an overload threshold for each of the system resources 14. That is, the management policy will identify the point at which a system resource will be overloaded and possibly fail. The management policy will also identify a corresponding corrective action to be taken to avoid the overload condition.
• requests 20 and 22 could be for any purpose.
• requests 20 and 22 could be to access or perform some task over network 24, to access one or more servers 26, to access information in one or more storage units 28, etc.
• the management policy will specify precisely how performance of a system resource should be monitored and measured. For example, network 24 performance could be monitored based on how many active connections exist.
• analyzer system 32 will continuously monitor the number of active network connections, and compare that number to an overload threshold (e.g., 1000 active connections) for network 24 as set forth in the management policy. If the number of connections is approaching an overload threshold as indicated in the policy, analyzer system 32 will communicate that information to planning system 34.
• the management policy could include a set of threshold rules such as "when the number of connections to network 24 is equal to 1000 out of 1100 possible connections, inform planning system 34 to avoid overload.”
• Analyzer system 32 can also check storage system 40 to see what actions were previously taken to address the overload condition and whether they were successful. As will be further described below, a performance history of the corrective actions can be recorded so that ineffective corrective actions can be discarded.
• analyzer system 32 could communicate this information to planning system 34.
• a similar approach can be used to monitor servers 26 and storage units 28. With respect to servers 26, performance could be monitored based on, for example, a number of tasks a server is currently being requested to perform. With respect to storage units 28, performance could be monitored based on, for example, a quantity of information retrieval requests a storage unit 28 is processing at any one time. If a particular system resource is approaching its overload threshold, corrective action system 36 will receive the information transmitted from analyzer system 32 and reference the management policy to identify and implement the most appropriate corrective action. Unlike previous systems, the corrective action is resource-based in that the requests that are causing the specific overload condition will be targeted.
• the present invention can allow innocuous traffic to continue, thereby helping system performance without worsening system "pressure.”
• the first type is to change a queue priority of requests 18 based on the type of request and what system resource is approaching the overload condition.
• requests 20 are the type that primarily "task" network 24 and servers 26.
• requests 20 will be given a lower queue priority so that fewer requests for network 24 connections are received and network 24 will not approach or exceed its overload threshold.
• Changing the queue priority of requests 20 may or may not lead to an increased priority of requests 22. If the altering of queue priority fails to remedy the overload condition, corrective action system 36 can take the more drastic action of discarding or excluding the requests causing the problems.
• a third type of corrective action could be implemented based on the consumption of resources per request type, as monitored by analyzer system 32. For example, assume that each request 20 requires server 26 to perform an average of two tasks and a maximum of four. Further assume that each request 22 requires that server 26 perform an average of ten requests and a maximum of fifty. In this example, if server 26 is determined to be approaching an overload condition, corrective action system 36 could receive the consumption information from analyzer system 32 and "intelligently" decide to limit requests 22, but not requests 20. The "intelligence" for such a limitation could be provided as one or more rules in the management policy.
• the management policy could optionally set forth a bottom threshold for returning to "normal" status. For example, if the overload threshold for network 24 is 1000 connections, the management policy could also state that once the number of connections falls below 800, corrective action system 36 will cease implementing the corrective actions (until the overload threshold of 1000 connections is approached again) . As indicated above, analyzer system 32 is continuously monitoring the performances of system resources 14. Any relevant information will be communicated to planning system 34 and used by corrective action system 36. Thus, if the queue priority of requests 20 was made lower to avoid crossing the overload threshold of network 24, the queue priority could be returned to normal when the number of network connections returns to "normal" levels (e.g., falls below the bottom threshold) .
• Learning system 38 of planning system 34 can dynamically change/amend the management policy based on the performance histories of the corrective actions. For example, if the queue priority of requests 20 are made lower in an attempt to avoid overloading of network 24, learning system 38 can change the management policy based on whether the lowering of the queue priority actually helped avoid overloading. To this extent, learning system 38 could use continuous monitoring information received from analyzer system 32. If it appears that the implemented corrective action is not helping to avoid overload conditions, learning system 38 will make a record of such in storage system 40 and change the management policy to reflect the failure. Changing of the management policy could be done in any manner. Examples include inserting a specific rule such as "do not adjust queue policy of requests 20 when attempting to avoiding overloading of network 24," or a broader change such as entirely eliminating queue priority changes as a corrective action.
• entry point node 12 generally includes central processing unit (CPU) 50, memory 52, bus 54, input/output (I/O) interfaces 56 and external devices/resources 58.
• CPU 50 may comprise a single processing unit, or be distributed across one or more processing units in one or more locations, e.g., on a client and server.
• Memory 52 may comprise any known type of data storage and/or transmission media, including magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM) , read-only memory (ROM), a data cache, a data object, etc.
• memory 52 may reside at a single physical location, comprising one or more types of data storage, or be distributed across a plurality of physical systems in various forms.
• I/O interfaces 56 may comprise any system for exchanging information to/from an external source.
• External devices/resources 58 may comprise any known type of external device, including speakers, a CRT, LED screen, hand-held device, keyboard, mouse, voice recognition system, speech output system, printer, monitor, facsimile, pager, etc.
• Bus 54 provides a communication link between each of the components in entry point node 12 and likewise may comprise any known type of transmission link, including electrical, optical, wireless, etc.
• additional components such as cache memory, communication systems, system software, etc., may be incorporated into entry point node 12.
• entry point node 12 could include storage system 40 which can be local (as shown) or remote.
• storage system 40 may include one or more storage devices, such as a magnetic disk drive or an optical disk drive.
• storage system 40 includes data distributed across, for example, a local area network (LAN) , wide area network (WAN) or a storage area network (SAN) (not shown) .
• LAN local area network
• WAN wide area network
• SAN storage area network
• storage system 40 may also be configured in such a way that one of ordinary skill in the art may interpret it to include one or more storage devices .
• communication between clients 16 and entry point node 12 can occur via a direct hardwired connection (e.g. , serial port) , or via an addressable connection in a client-server (or server-server) environment (as shown) which may utilize any combination of wireline and/or wireless transmission methods.
• the server and client may be connected via the Internet, a wide area network (WAN) , a local area network (LAN) , a virtual private network (VPN) or other private network.
• the server and client may utilize conventional network connectivity, such as Token Ring, Ethernet, WiFi or other conventional communications standards.
• connectivity could be provided by conventional TCP/IP sockets-based protocol.
• management system 30 includes analyzer system 32 and planning system 34, which itself includes corrective action system 36 and learning system 38. As indicated above, analyzer system 32 will continuously monitor the performances of system resources 14. Based on the management policy, analyzer system 32 will determine when a particular system resource (e.g., network, server 26, or storage unit 28) is approaching an overload condition. If an overload condition is being approached (as dictated by thresholds or rules in the management policy) , analyzer system 32 will reference storage system 40 to determine what corrective actions were previously performed, and whether they were successful. Analyzer system 32 will then communicate this information to planning system 34.
• a particular system resource e.g., network, server 26, or storage unit 28
• corrective action system 36 Upon receipt, corrective action system 36 will identify and implement appropriate corrective actions based on what system resource 14 is approaching an overload condition, and the management policy. Specifically, the management policy contains additional rules that dictate what corrective actions should be implemented to remedy specific overload conditions. Thus, for example, if network 24 is approaching an overload condition, the management policy could dictate that the queue priority of requests 20 should be lowered. As indicated above, if changing the queue priority does not work, other corrective actions such as excluding requests 20 all together could be implemented. Still yet, corrective action could be implemented based of the consumption of resources per request type. This is so that, for example, if requests 20 and requests 22 are both received by server 26, corrective action system 36 could limit either requests 20 or requests 22 based on which type consumes the most resources .
• corrective action system 36 could cease implementing the corrective action if the performance of the overloaded system resource (i.e., as continuously monitored by analyzer system 32) returns to a "normal" level.
• learning system 38 will dynamically change the management policy to reflect the performance history thereof . This allows ineffective corrective actions to be removed from the management policy to prevent making futile efforts in the future, and increase the efficiency of the system accordingly.
• a flow diagram of method 100 according to the present invention is shown.
• Request traffic is received in step 102.
• step 104 the performance of a set of system resources is monitored in response to the request traffic. Based on the management policy, it is determined when at least one of the system resources is approaching an overload condition in step 106. Then, a corrective action to avoid the overload condition is identified and implemented in step 108. As indicated above, the corrective action is identified based on the particular system resource that is approaching overload condition, and the management policy.
• the present invention can be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Any kind of computer/server system(s) - or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein - is suited.
• a typical combination of hardware and software could be a general purpose computer system with a computer program that, when loaded and executed, controls entry point node 12 such that it carries out the respective methods described herein.
• a specific use computer containing specialized hardware for carrying out one or more of the functional tasks of the invention, could be utilized.
• the present invention can also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the respective features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which - when loaded in a computer system - is able to carry out these methods.
• Computer program, software program, program, or software in the present context mean any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: (a) conversion to another language, code or notation; and/or (b) reproduction in a different material form.
• learning system 38 has been shown as part of planning system 34, it could actually be implemented as a separate system.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Quality & Reliability (AREA)
• Data Exchanges In Wide-Area Networks (AREA)
• Computer And Data Communications (AREA)
• Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

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Publications (2)

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• 2002
  • 2002-12-10 US US10/315,339 patent/US7986625B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2003
  • 2003-11-13 CN CNB2003801055181A patent/CN100478891C/zh not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-11-13 AU AU2003286240A patent/AU2003286240A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-11-13 JP JP2004558197A patent/JP4452185B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2003-11-13 WO PCT/GB2003/004920 patent/WO2004053693A2/en not_active Ceased
• 2011
  • 2011-05-23 US US13/113,882 patent/US8873390B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2014
  • 2014-10-08 US US14/509,333 patent/US9755989B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

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