HETEROGENEOUS CLOUD-STORE PROVIDER ACCESS SYSTEMS, AND/OR ASSOCIATED METHODS

• US 20140181301A1
• Filed: 12/20/2012
• Published: 06/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Software AG USA Incorporated (Software AG)
• Original Assignee: Software AG USA Incorporated (Software AG)
• Inventors: YENDLURI, Prasadarao
• Granted Patent: US 10,044,808 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/225
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5072 Grid computing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/541 via adapters, e.g. between incompatible applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066

Abstract

In certain example embodiments, heterogeneous cloud-store provider access systems (HCPAS), and/or associated methods, are provided. Certain example embodiments provide users with managed access to cloud stores distributed across multiple, disparate providers, in a device-independent manner. A common API and user-friendly user interface allow for a single sign-on access to the various providers. Advantageously, users need not download and install differing cloud store provider access software for each provider, device, and/or provider-device combination, used to access the cloud drives. Instead, by using the HCPAS, a user can manage the distributed storage and provide improved common access, e.g., in terms of administrative and operational functions.

Claims

1. A heterogeneous cloud provider access system including a plurality of disparate cloud computing systems operated by different respective cloud providers, the heterogeneous cloud provider access system comprising:

an server comprising at least one processor;

a configuration database storing a plurality of user records, each said user record indicating, for a respective user, which cloud providers the respective user has an account with and login information for each of these cloud providers;

a plurality of end-user devices, each said device being connectable to the server via an application running thereon; and

for each of a plurality of operations requestable through an instance of the application, a mapping between the respective operation and one or more provider-specific application programming interface (API) calls associated with performance and/or execution of the respective operation, regardless of the type of the device running the instance of the application.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the server is configured to, in cooperation with its at least one processor:

receive a request for an operation to be performed and/or executed with respect to one or more cloud computing systems,

determine which cloud computing system(s) is/are associated with the request,

identify one or more mappings needed to perform and/or execute the request based on the determination, and

make any necessary API calls to the cloud computing system(s) that is/are associated with the request, in accordance with the identified one or more identified mappings.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the server is further configured to, in cooperation with its at least one processor:

enable users to log into the heterogeneous cloud provider access system, and

log into the respective cloud computing systems with which logged in users have accounts based on the login information stored in the configuration database.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein each instance of the application is configured to provide a user interface for displaying content of cloud storage locations provided to the respective cloud computing systems with which logged in users have accounts.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the content is displayed hierarchically.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the user interfaces provide consistent user interface experiences regardless of device type.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the instances of the application enable users logged into the server to perform file management functions with respect to one or more cloud storage locations provided to the respective cloud computing systems with which logged in users have accounts.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the file management functions that are performable include copying and/or moving data among and/or between cloud storage locations provided to the respective cloud computing systems.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the file management functions that are performable include copying and/or moving data from a device to cloud storage locations provided to the respective cloud computing systems, and vice versa.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the mappings are stored in a table.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the mappings are stored as logic statements.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the instances of the application enable users logged into the server to perform management and/or administrative functions with respect to one or more cloud resources provided to the respective cloud computing systems with which logged in users have accounts.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the cloud resources are processing resources.

14. A method of managing a heterogeneous cloud provider access system including a plurality of disparate cloud computing systems operated by different respective cloud providers, the method comprising:

storing a plurality of user records in a database, each said user record indicating, for a respective user, which cloud providers the respective user has an account with and login information for each of these cloud providers;

enabling a plurality of end-user devices to connect to a server of the heterogeneous cloud provider access system via an application running on the devices, the server including at least one processor; and

maintaining, for each of a plurality of operations requestable through an instance of the application, a mapping between the respective operation and one or more provider-specific methods associated with performance and/or execution of the respective operation.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

receiving a request for an operation to be performed and/or executed with respect to one or more cloud computing systems;

determining which cloud computing system(s) is/are associated with the request;

identifying one or more mappings needed to perform and/or execute the request based on the determination; and

causing one or more provider-specific methods to be performed and/or executed in connection with the cloud computing system(s) that is/are associated with the request, in accordance with the identified one or more mappings.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

enabling users to log into the heterogeneous cloud provider access system; and

logging into the respective cloud computing systems with which logged in users have accounts based on the login information stored in the configuration database.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the instances of the application enable users logged into the server to perform file management functions with respect to one or more cloud storage locations provided to the respective cloud computing systems with which logged in users have accounts.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the file management functions that are performable include (a) copying and/or moving data among and/or between cloud storage locations provided to the respective cloud computing systems, and/or (b) copying and/or moving data from a device to cloud storage locations provided to the respective cloud computing systems, and vice versa.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the mappings are stored in a table and/or as logic statements.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the instances of the application enable users logged into the server to perform management and/or administrative functions with respect to one or more cloud resources provided to the respective cloud computing systems with which logged in users have accounts.

22. A non-transitory computer readable storage mediums tangibly storing instructions for performing the method of claim 14.

17. The method of lain 14, wherein each instance of the application is configured to provide a user interface for displaying content of cloud storage locations provided to the respective cloud computing systems with which logged in users have accounts.

23. (canceled)

24. A server connected to a heterogeneous cloud provider access system including a plurality of disparate cloud computing systems operated by different respective cloud providers, the server comprising:

processing resources including at least one processor;

a connection to a database storing a plurality of user records, each said user record indicating, for a respective user, which cloud providers the respective user has an account with and login information for each of these cloud providers; and

a connection pool configured to enable a plurality of end-user devices to connect to the server via applications running on the respective devices,

wherein the processing resources are configured to at least access, for each of a plurality of operations requestable through an instance of the application, a mapping between the respective operation and one or more provider-specific application programming interface (API) calls associated with performance and/or execution of the respective operation, regardless of the type of the device running the instance of the application.

25. The server of claim 24, wherein the processing resources are further configured to at least:

receive a request for an operation to be performed and/or executed with respect to one or more cloud computing systems,

determine which cloud computing system(s) is/are associated with the request,

identify one or more mappings needed to perform and/or execute the request based on the determination, and

make any necessary API calls to the cloud computing system(s) that is/are associated with the request, in accordance with the identified one or more identified mappings.

26-40. -40. (canceled)