Methods and apparatus for allocating resources in a distributed environment based on network assessment

• US 20070072618A1
• Filed: 09/28/2005
• Published: 03/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Inventors: Rodrig, Benny, Freytsis, Ilya, Ish-shalom, Ran
• Granted Patent: US 8,103,282 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/452.200
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/308 Route determination based on user's profile, e.g. premium users
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1001 for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1008 based on parameters of servers, e.g. available memory or workload monitoring of computer activity G06F11/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/101 based on network conditions

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for allocating resources in a distributed environment, such as a packet network, based on a network assessment. One or more resources are allocated to a request in a distributed environment by identifying one or more potential resources to handle the request; obtaining a network connection assessment between the requester and the one or more potential resources; and assigning at least one of the one or more potential resources to the request based on the evaluation. The network connection assessment can assess, for example, a quality of a network connection between the requester and each of the one or more potential resources or evaluate a topology of the network connection between the requester and each of the one or more potential resources. The one or more resources can be selected based on a score assigned to each of the one or more potential resources.

Claims

1. A method for allocating one or more resources to a request in a distributed environment, comprising:

identifying one or more resources to handle said request;

obtaining a network connection assessment between one or more requesters associated with said request and said one or more potential resources; and

assigning at least one of said one or more resources to said request based on said network connection assessment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying step further comprises the step of identifying resources that are currently available.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said obtaining step further comprises the step of obtaining a network connection assessment between said one or more requesters and each of said one or more resources.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said network connection assessment further comprises an evaluation of a topology of a network connection between said one or more requesters and each of said one or more resources.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said topological evaluation is based on one or more of a dynamic assessment or known configuration information.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said network connection assessment further comprises an evaluation of a quality of a network connection between said one or more requesters and each of said one or more resources.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said network connection quality evaluates one or more of a type of connectivity, a topological assessment or a session quality assessment.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said network connection assessment is combined with one or more application criteria in accordance with a predefined policy.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said assigning step further comprises the step of evaluating a score assigned to each of said one or more resources.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said distributed environment comprises a packet network.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said network connection assessment is obtained from a network assessment service.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said network connection assessment is performed by a resource allocation service.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said network connection assessment is performed one or more of continuously, periodically or in response to said request.

14. A system for allocating one or more resources to a request in a distributed environment, comprising:

a memory; and

at least one processor, coupled to the memory, operative to;

identify one or more resources to handle said request;

obtain a network connection assessment between one or more requesters associated with said request and said one or more resources; and

assign at least one of said one or more resources to said request based on said network connection assessment.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said processor is further configured to obtain a network connection assessment between said one or more requesters and each of said one or more resources.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein said network connection assessment further comprises an evaluation of a topology of a network connection between said one or more requesters and each of said one or more resources.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said topological evaluation is based on one or more of an automatic assessment or known configuration information.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein said network connection assessment further comprises an evaluation of a quality of a network connection between said one or more requesters and each of said one or more resources.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said network connection quality evaluates one or more of a type of connectivity, a topological assessment or a session quality assessment.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein said network connection assessment is combined with one or more application criteria in accordance with a predefined policy.

21. The system of claim 14, wherein said processor is further configured to evaluate a score assigned to each of said one or more resources.

22. An article of manufacture for allocating a resource to a request in a distributed environment, comprising a machine readable medium containing one or more programs which when executed implement the steps of:

identifying one or more resources to handle said request;

obtaining a network connection assessment between one or more requesters associated with said request and said one or more resources; and

assigning at least one of said one or more resources to said request based on said network connection assessment.

23. The article of manufacture of claim 22, wherein said one or more programs which when executed further implement the step of obtaining a network connection assessment between said one or more requesters and each of said one or more resources.

24. The article of manufacture of claim 22, wherein said network connection assessment further comprises an evaluation of a topology of a network connection between said one or more requesters and each of said one or more resources.

25. The article of manufacture of claim 22, wherein said network connection assessment further comprises an evaluation of a quality of a network connection between said one or more requesters and each of said one or more resources.

26. The article of manufacture of claim 22, wherein said network connection assessment is combined with one or more application criteria in accordance with a predefined policy.

27. The article of manufacture of claim 22, wherein said one or more programs which when executed further implement the step of evaluating a score assigned to each of said one or more resources.