Price and Utility Optimization for Cloud Computing Resources

• US 20120016721A1
• Filed: 07/15/2010
• Published: 01/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Weinman, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US12/836,968
• Publication Number:
  US 20120016721A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7.35
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0206 Price or cost determination based on market factors

Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for optimizing the utilization of a resource of a cloud service provider based on variable pricing strategies are presented herein. According to one aspect, a method for optimizing the utilization of a resource of a cloud service provider includes receiving a time-based price schedule that includes a price for utilizing the resource during a specific time period. The method also includes receiving a job request associated with a job request execution criteria. Based on the job request execution criteria and the price for utilizing the resource during the specific time period, the job request is matched with the resource. Once the job request and the resource are matched, the job request is sent to the cloud service provider of the resource for execution.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for optimizing utilization of a resource of a cloud service provider, the method comprising:

receiving a time-based price schedule associated with the resource of the cloud service provider, the time-based price schedule comprising a price for utilizing the resource during at least one time period;

receiving a job request with associated job request execution criteria;

based on the job request execution criteria and the price for utilizing the resource during the at least one time period, matching the job request with the resource; and

sending the job request matched with the resource to the cloud service provider of the resource for execution.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the job request execution criteria comprises at least one of an amount to be paid for executing the job request, a type of job request, a deadline associated with the job request, and the type of resource required to execute the job request.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the type of job request comprises a non-deferrable type, a deferrable type, and a discretionary type.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein matching the job request with the resource based on the job request execution criteria and the price for utilizing the resource during the at least one time period comprises:

determining that the job request is the non-deferrable type;

upon determining that the job request is the non-deferrable type, searching for the resource capable of executing the job request instantly; and

identifying the resource capable of executing the job request instantly at a lowest price.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein matching the job request with the resource based on the job request execution criteria and the price for utilizing the resource during the at least one time period comprises:

determining that the job request is the deferrable type;

upon determining that the job request is the deferrable type, determining the amount to be paid for executing the job request and the deadline associated with the job request;

upon determining the amount to be paid for executing the job request and the deadline associated with the job request, searching for the resource capable of executing the job request within the amount to be paid for executing the job request and the deadline associated with the job request; and

identifying the resource capable of executing the job request within the deadline and at a lowest price below the amount to be paid for executing the job request.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein matching the job request with the resource based on the job request execution criteria and the price for utilizing the resource during the at least one time period comprises:

determining that the job request is the discretionary type;

upon determining that the job request is the discretionary type, determining the amount to be paid for executing the job request;

upon determining the amount to be paid for executing the job request, searching for the resource capable of executing the job request within the amount to be paid for executing the job request; and

identifying the resource capable of executing the job request at a lowest price below the amount to be paid for executing the job request.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

maintaining a job request table comprising the job request; and

updating the job request table to indicate that the job request has been matched to the resource at a specific time period.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, further comprising:

receiving a notification from the at least one cloud service provider that the at least one job request has been executed; and

upon receiving the notification that the job request has been executed, updating the job request table to indicate that the at least one job request has been executed.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising receiving updates to the time-based price schedule associated with the resource based, at least in part, on availability of the resource.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the updates to the time-based price schedule associated with the resource are received upon matching the job request to the resource.

11. A system for optimizing utilization of resources of a plurality of cloud service providers, comprising:

a memory storing a program for optimizing the utilization of resources of a plurality of cloud service providers; and

a processor functionally coupled to the memory, the processor being responsive to computer-executable instructions contained in the program and configured to;

receive a pricing table from a cloud service provider of the plurality of cloud service providers, the pricing table comprising a time-based price schedule associated with the price of utilizing a resource of the cloud service provider,

create a dynamic pricing table using the pricing table received from the cloud service provider,

receive a job request from a consumer of a plurality of consumers, the job request comprising a job request execution criteria,

match the job request to the resource of the cloud service provider using the dynamic pricing table and the job request execution criteria of the job request, and

send the matched job request to the resource of the cloud service provider for execution.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the dynamic pricing table comprises at least one entry, the at least one entry configured to include identification and time-based pricing information for the resource matched to execute the job request.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the job request execution criteria comprises at least one of a cost of executing the at least one job request, a type of job request, a deadline associated with the at least one job request, and the type of resource required to execute the job request.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the dynamic pricing table from the cloud service provider is received over a network.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor being responsive to further computer-executable instructions contained in the program and configured to update the dynamic pricing table upon receiving an updated pricing table from the cloud service provider.

16. A computer-readable storage medium for optimizing utilization of a resource of a cloud service provider, having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that when executed by a computer, causes the computer to:

receive a time-based price schedule associated with the resource of the cloud service provider, the time-based price schedule comprising a price for utilizing the resource during at least one time period;

receive a job request with associated job request execution criteria;

based on the job request execution criteria and the price for utilizing the resource during the at least one time period, match the job request with the resource; and

send the job request matched with the resource to the cloud service provider of the resource for execution.

17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the job request execution criteria comprises at least one of an amount to be paid for executing the job request, a type of job request, a deadline associated with the job request, and the type of resource required to execute the job request.

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that when executed by a computer, causes the computer to:

determine that the job request is one of a non-deferrable type, deferrable type and a discretionary type;

if the job request is the non-deferrable type;

search for a resource capable of executing the job request instantly, and

identify the resource capable of executing the job request instantly at a lowest price,

if the job request is the deferrable type;

determine the amount to be paid for executing the job request and a deadline associated with the job request,

upon determining the amount to be paid for executing the job request and the deadline associated with the job request, search for a resource capable of executing the job request within the amount to be paid for executing the job request and the deadline associated with the job request, and

identify the resource capable of executing the job request within the deadline and at a lowest price below the amount to be paid for executing the job request, and

if the job request is the discretionary type;

determine the amount to be paid for executing the job request,

upon determining the amount to be paid for executing the job request, search for a resource capable of executing the job request within the amount to be paid for executing the job request, and

identify the resource capable of executing the job request at a lowest price below the amount to be paid for executing the job request.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, having further computer-executable instructions stored thereon that when executed by a computer, causes the computer to:

maintain a job request table comprising the job request; and

update the job request table to indicate that the job request has been matched to the resource at a specific time period.

20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, having further computer-executable instructions stored thereon that when executed by a computer, causes the computer to receive updates to the time-based price schedule associated with the resource upon matching the job request to the resource.