Data Center Designer (DCD) for a Virtual Data Center

• US 20140172376A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 06/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ProfitBricks, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ProfitBricks, Inc.
• Inventors: Weiss, Achim, Wood, Conrad N.
• Application Number:
  US13/835,013
• Publication Number:
  US 20140172376A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 703/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2111/20 Configuration CAD, e.g. designing by assembling or positioning modules selected from libraries of predesigned modules
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/00 Computer-aided design [CAD]

Abstract

A data center designer (DCD) includes a graphical user interface which allows a user to easily assemble a virtual data center having desired characteristics while at the same time allowing the user to retain a constant overview of their virtual data center. The DCD may also allow a user to implement the design in physical resources.

Claims

1. A method for designing, correcting and improving a Virtual Data Center (VDC) using a Data Center Designer (DCD), the method comprising:

providing a graphical user interface module that allows a user to graphically design a computing infrastructure having specified functionality;

receiving, by a computing system, a design for the computing infrastructure from the graphical user interface module;

allocating, by the computing system, computing resources in one or more physical data centers for implementing the specified functionality; and

providing access to computing services that implement the specified functionality by utilizing the allocated computing resources.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising dynamically re-allocating the computing resources as the computing services are provided.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the user interface includes features to allow a user to specify one or more servers.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the user interface includes features to allow a user to specify one or more storage devices.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the user interface includes features to allow a user to specify one or more network connections.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the user interface includes features to allow a user to specify one or more connections to an internet.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the user interface includes features to allow a user to specify one or more load balancers.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the user interface includes features to allow a user to specify an operating system.

9. A Data Center Designer (DCD) system for use with a Virtual Data Center (VDC), the system comprising:

a graphical user interface configured module that allows a user to graphically design a computing infrastructure having specified functionality;

one or more physical computing centers having computing resources capable of providing the specified functionality; and

a computer service interface configured to;

allocate at least a portion of the computing resources from the physical computing centers in order to implement the specified functionality; and

provide an interface for utilizing the specified functionality.

10. The DCD system of claim 9 wherein the computer service interface is configured to dynamically allocate the computing resources.

11. The DCD system of claim 9 wherein the user interface includes features to allow a user to specify one or more servers.

12. The DCD system of claim 9 wherein the user interface includes features to allow a user to specify one or more storage devices.

13. The DCD system of claim 9 wherein the user interface includes features to allow a user to specify one or more network connections.

14. The DCD system of claim 9 wherein the user interface includes features to allow a user to specify one or more connections to an internet.

15. The DCD system of claim 9 wherein the user interface includes features to allow a user to specify one or more load balancers.

16. The DCD system of claim 9 wherein the user interface includes features to allow a user to specify an operating system.

17. The DCD system of claim 9 wherein the physical computing centers are located in a same location, located in different locations, or a combination thereof.

18. The DCD system of claim 9 wherein the allocated computing resources comprise a computing infrastructure, different from the graphically designed computing infrastructure, for providing the same specified functionality.

19. The DCD system of claim 9 wherein the computer service interface provides the specified functionality as a service.

20. The DCD system of claim 19 wherein the graphical user interface includes a feature that allows a user to purchase the service.