Methods, Systems and Computer Program Products for a Cloud Computing Spot Market Platform

• US 20100088205A1
• Filed: 10/02/2008
• Published: 04/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Business Network Services, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Robertson, James A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,870,044 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0242 Determining effectiveness of advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes

Abstract

This disclosure details the implementation of methods, systems and computer program products for a cloud computing spot market platform (hereinafter, “Platform”). Fluctuations in demand for computing resources may engender idle processing capacity within the framework of a cloud computing system. Embodiments of the Platform provide infrastructure for redistributing idle capacity to grid-style batch computing processes, such as may be based on the same processing resources as those used by the cloud computing system. In this manner, Platform embodiments may increase the utilization of idle resources and reduce revenue losses associated with demand variability for cloud computing system administrators. In one embodiment, market-oriented floating prices for grid-style batch computing utilizing idle resources may be implemented based on monitored and analyzed levels of computing resource supply and demand.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

requesting payment of a first fee for access to cloud computing resources, wherein the first fee is a fixed fee;

providing access to cloud computing resources via a communications network if the first fee is paid;

monitoring computing resource usage levels for the cloud computing resources;

determining a grid-based batch computing price based on the monitored computing resource usage levels;

requesting payment of a fee for grid-based batch computing service, wherein the fee is based on the grid-based batch computing price; and

providing idle cloud computing resources for grid-based batch computing service if the fee is paid.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

performing a load level inquiry for cloud computing resources to determine associated load levels; and

designating cloud computing resources as idle cloud computing resources if associated load levels are less than a threshold value.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the threshold value comprises a parameter-dependent functional threshold.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the load level inquiry is performed on a scheduled basis.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining a grid-based batch computing price is performed periodically.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the monitoring computing resource usage levels comprises determining computing resource demand and available computing resource supply.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

allocating the idle cloud computing resources for grid-based batch computing service based on the determined available computing resource supply.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the allocating idle cloud computing resources only takes place during off-peak demand periods, wherein the off-peak demand periods correspond to low demand for access to cloud computing resources.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the allocating idle cloud computing resources for grid-based batch computing service is further based on computing resource demand.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein allocating idle cloud computing resources for grid-based batch computing service is restricted by a pre-set minimum resource reserve requirement for the cloud computing resources.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein idle cloud computing resources are allocated for grid-based batch computing when an idle cloud computing resources level exceeds a first threshold level.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein cloud computing resources are de-allocated from grid-based batch computing when the idle cloud computing resources level falls below a second threshold level that is no greater than the first threshold level

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

determining if at least one grid-based batch computing task is at a termination point;

waiting for the at least one grid-based batch computing task to reach a termination point if the termination point has not yet been reached; and

de-allocating computing resources from grid-based batch computing when the at least one grid-based batch computing task is at a termination point.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

requesting that a user save grid-based batch computing progress and terminate the at least one grid-based batch computing task before de-allocating computing resources from grid-based batch computing.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein computing resources are apportioned as nodes.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein each node corresponds to a central processing unit.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein each node corresponds to a virtual machine.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the grid-based batch computing service is applied to a task selected from a queue of tasks.

19. A system, comprising:

a processor;

a memory in communication with the processor and containing program instructions;

an input and output in communication with the processor and memory comprising a graphical interface;

wherein the processor executes program instructions contained in the memory and the program instructions comprise;

provide access to cloud computing resources via a communications network;

monitor computing resource usage levels for the cloud computing resources;

determine a grid-based batch computing price based on the monitored computing resource usage levels;

request payment of a fee for grid-based batch computing service, wherein the fee is based on the grid-based batch computing price; and

provide idle cloud computing resources for grid-based batch computing service if the fee is paid.

20. A computer program product, comprising:

processor readable instructions stored in the computer program product, wherein the processor readable instructions are issuable by a processor to;

provide access to cloud computing resources via a communications network;

monitor computing resource usage levels for the cloud computing resources;

determine a grid-based batch computing price based on the monitored computing resource usage levels;

request payment of a fee for grid-based batch computing service, wherein the fee is based on the grid-based batch computing price; and

provide idle cloud computing resources for grid-based batch computing service if the fee is paid.