IBM has been granted a key U.S. patent for dynamically managing network bandwidth within a cloud, which could lead to significant improvements in overall system performance, efficiency and economy.
The patent (U.S. #8,352,953: Dynamically Provisioning Virtual Machines) — provides a method for automatically deciding the best way for users to access a cloud computing system based on availability of network bandwidth. IBM’s innovation allows the system to automatically and dynamically reassign work from one system node to another based on networking bandwidth requirements and availability, ensuring that the system and VMs can run efficiently.
Specifically, the invention “calls for network resource management to be completed using software to obtain data from the management information database of the network switch to determine the amount of bandwidth being used by each IP address assigned to each VM within the compute node. As network bandwidth rises and becomes constrained in one node, the system will automatically reassign some of the VMs to another node with network bandwidth capacity available. ”
IBM said dynamic provisioning of network bandwidth across a cloud computing system provides the foundation for Software Defined Networking, which is defined as requiring dynamic management of network resources through automated programs.
“This is the type of investment in invention and innovation that is needed to be a leader in the competitive cloud computing market,” said Dennis Quan, vice president of strategy, IBM cloud services. “IBM inventors are focused on researching and developing new cloud computing technologies and techniques that will pave the way to leadership for IBM and its clients.”
“Today’s consumers using all kinds of devices expect their apps and Web experience to always work — they have zero tolerance for network bandwidth bottlenecks,” said Ed Suffern, IBM systems engineer and the lead inventor on the patent. “IBM’s patented dynamic provisioning invention will help cloud service providers increase network performance and improve customer satisfaction.”
