Software license management in a networked computing environment
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for managing licenses for software installations on virtual machine instances in a networked computing environment, comprising:
- collecting, on a computer storage device, data pertaining to usage of a set of software installations on a set of virtual machine (VM) instances in the networked computing environment;
receiving a request for a license for a particular software installation of the set of software installations from a requester;
determining whether the license is available;
determining, responsive to the license being unavailable, whether the license is obtainable based on the data and a current configuration of the networked computing indicating an active virtual machine that currently holds the license unnecessarily, wherein the current configuration of the networked computing environment comprises an inactivity of the licenses, respective priority of users for using the licenses, frequency of use of the set of software installations, geographic location of the users, and at least one datacenter location;
andun-installing the software corresponding to the license from the active virtual machine and allocating the license to the requester responsive to the license being obtainable.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An approach for managing licenses for software installations on virtual machine (VM) instances in a networked computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment) is provided. Specifically, in one example, data (e.g., real-time and/or historical) pertaining to usage of a set of software installations on a set of (VM) instances in the networked computing environment is collected. When a request is received (e.g., from a requester) for a license for a particular software installation of the set of software installations, it is determined whether the license is available. If not, it is then determined whether the license is obtainable based on the collected data and a current configuration of the networked computing environment. Then, responsive to the license being obtainable, the requested license may be allocated.
56 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for managing licenses for software installations on virtual machine instances in a networked computing environment, comprising:
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collecting, on a computer storage device, data pertaining to usage of a set of software installations on a set of virtual machine (VM) instances in the networked computing environment; receiving a request for a license for a particular software installation of the set of software installations from a requester; determining whether the license is available;
determining, responsive to the license being unavailable, whether the license is obtainable based on the data and a current configuration of the networked computing indicating an active virtual machine that currently holds the license unnecessarily, wherein the current configuration of the networked computing environment comprises an inactivity of the licenses, respective priority of users for using the licenses, frequency of use of the set of software installations, geographic location of the users, and at least one datacenter location;and un-installing the software corresponding to the license from the active virtual machine and allocating the license to the requester responsive to the license being obtainable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer readable storage device having computer program product for managing licenses for software installations on virtual machine instances in a networked computing environment stored thereon, the computer program product comprising program instructions stored on the computer readable storage device that, when executed by a computer device:
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collect, on a computer storage device, data pertaining to usage of a set of software installations on a set of virtual machine (VM) instances in the networked computing environment; receive a request for a license for a particular software installation of the set of software installations from a requester; determine whether the license is available;
determine, responsive to the license being unavailable, whether the license is obtainable based on the data and a current configuration of the networked computing environment indicating an active virtual machine that currently holds the license unnecessarily, wherein the current configuration of the networked computing environment comprises any an inactivity of the licenses, respective priority of users for using the licenses, frequency of use of the set of software installations, geographic location of the users, and at least one datacenter location;and un-install the software corresponding to the license from the active virtual machine and allocate the license to the requester responsive to the license being obtainable. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for managing licenses for software installations on virtual machine instances in a networked computing environment, comprising:
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a memory medium comprising instructions;
a bus coupled to the memory medium; and
a processor coupled to the bus that when executing the instructions causes the system to;collect, on a computer storage device, data pertaining to usage of a set of software installations on a set of virtual machine (VM) instances in the networked computing environment; receive a request for a license for a particular software installation of the set of software installations from a requester; determine whether the license is available;
determine, responsive to the license being unavailable, whether the license is obtainable based on the data and a current configuration of the networked computing environment, indicating an active virtual machine that currently holds the license unnecessarily, wherein the current configuration of the networked computing environment comprises an inactivity of the licenses, respective priority of users for using the licenses, frequency of use of the set of software installations, geographic location of the users, and at least one datacenter location;and un-install the software corresponding to the license from the active virtual machine and allocate the license to the requester responsive to the license being obtainable. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for deploying a system for managing licenses for software installations on virtual machine instances in a networked computing environment, comprising:
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providing a computer infrastructure being operable to; collect, on a computer storage device, data pertaining to usage of a set of software installations on a set of virtual machine (VM) instances in the networked computing environment; receive a request for a license for a particular software installation of the set of software installations from a requester; determine whether the license is available; determine, responsive to the license being unavailable, whether the license is obtainable based on the data and a current configuration of the networked computing environment, indicating an active virtual machine that currently holds the license unnecessarily, wherein the current configuration of the networked computing environment comprises an inactivity of the licenses, respective priority of users for using the licenses, frequency of use of the set of software installations, geographic location of the users, and at least one datacenter location; and un-install the software corresponding to the license from the active virtual machine and allocate the license to the requester responsive to the license being obtainable.
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Specification