Optimized Transfer Of Applications Between Computing Environments

• US 20130007090A1
• Filed: 06/29/2011
• Published: 01/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sankararaman, Gurusankar
• Granted Patent: US 9,009,212 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/201
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/202 where processing functionality is redundant redundant communication control functionality G06F11/2005, redundant storage control functionality G06F11/2089
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/46 Multiprogramming arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5088 involving task migration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/00 Data switching networks interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units G06F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/61 taking into account QoS or priority requirements

Abstract

Techniques for optimally transferring applications between computing environments are provided. Using a process in a first computing environment, an application running in the first computing environment is monitored. Based on the monitoring, a need is determined to transfer the application from the first computing environment to a second computing environment. The application is transferred from the first computing environment to the second computing environment, and operations of the application are resumed in the second computing environment.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

monitoring, with a process in a first computing environment, an application running in the first computing environment;

determining, based on the monitoring, a need to transfer the application from the first computing environment to a second computing environment;

transferring the application from the first computing environment to the second computing environment; and

resuming operations of the application in the second computing environment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring comprises:

monitoring performance of the application.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring comprises:

monitoring computing resources of the first computing environment.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a need to transfer comprises:

comparing performance of the application to a predetermined threshold for a performance metric.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing application data in a storage location that is accessible to both the first and second computing environments.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein storing the application data comprises:

storing application configuration data.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

continually storing application data in the storage location.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein resuming the application in the second desktop environment comprises:

accessing the application data stored in the storage location.

9. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

controllably provisioning write access to the storage location between the first and the second computing environments.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein transferring the application from the first computing environment to the second computing environment comprises:

prompting a user of the application to close the application.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein transferring the application from the first computing environment to the second desktop environment comprises:

automatically closing the application.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first computing environment is a physical desktop computing environment and the second computing environment is a virtual desktop computing environment, and wherein resuming the application in the second computing environment comprises:

automatically opening the application in the virtual desktop computing environment.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first computing environment is a virtual desktop computing environment and wherein the second computing environment is a physical desktop computing environment, and wherein resuming the application in the second computing environment comprises:

automatically opening the application in the physical desktop computing environment.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring, with a process in the second computing environment, quality of the application in the second computing environment;

determining, based on the monitoring in the second computing environment, a need to transfer the application from the second computing environment back to the first computing environment;

transferring the application from the second computing environment back to the first computing environment; and

resuming operations of the application in the first computing environment.

15. One or more computer readable storage media encoded with software comprising computer executable instructions and when the software is executed operable to:

monitor, with a process in a first computing environment, an application running in the first computing environment;

determine, based on the monitoring, a need to transfer the application from the first computing environment to a second computing environment;

transfer the application from the first computing environment to the second computing environment; and

resume operations of the application in the second computing environment.

16. The computer readable storage media of claim 15, wherein the instructions operable to monitor further comprise instructions operable to:

monitor performance of the application.

17. The computer readable storage media of claim 15, wherein the instructions operable to monitor further comprise instructions operable to:

monitor computing resources of the first computing environment.

18. The computer readable storage media of claim 15, further comprising instructions operable to:

store application data in a storage location that is accessible to both the first and second computing environments.

19. The computer readable storage media of claim 18, further comprising instructions operable to:

controllably provision write access to the storage location between the first and the second computing environments.

20. The computer readable storage media of claim 15, wherein the first computing environment is a physical desktop computing environment and wherein the second computing environment is a virtual desktop computing environment, and wherein the instructions operable to resume the application in the second computing environment further comprise instructions operable to:

automatically open the application in the virtual desktop computing environment.

21. The computer readable storage media of claim 15, wherein the first computing environment is a virtual desktop computing environment and wherein the second computing environment is a physical desktop computing environment, and wherein the instructions operable to resume the application in the second computing environment further comprise instructions operable to:

automatically open the application in the physical desktop computing environment.

22. The computer readable storage media of claim 15, further comprising instructions operable to:

monitor quality of the application in the second computing environment;

determine, based on the monitoring in the second computing environment, a need to transfer the application from the second computing environment back to the first computing environment;

transfer the application from the second computing environment back to the first computing environment; and

resume operations of the application in the first computing environment.

23. An apparatus, comprising:

a network interface unit configured to enable communications over a network;

a processor configured to be coupled to the network interface unit; and

a memory configured to be coupled to the processor and to store instructions for execution by the processor in a first computing environment, including instructions that cause the processor to;

receive an indication that an application needs to be transferred from a second computing environment to the first computing environment;

retrieve data regarding the application operation in the second computing environment; and

resume operations of the application in the first computing environment.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the processor is further configured to monitor quality of the application in the first computing environment, determine, based on the monitoring in the first computing environment, a need to transfer the application from the first computing environment back to the second computing environment, and enable transfer of the application from the first computing environment back to the second computing environment.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first computing environment is a virtual desktop computing environment and wherein the second computing environment is a physical desktop computing environment, and wherein the apparatus is configured to

automatically open the application in the virtual desktop computing environment.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first computing environment is a physical desktop computing environment and wherein the second computing environment is a virtual desktop computing environment, and wherein resuming the application in the second computing environment comprises:

automatically opening the application in the physical desktop computing environment.