Implementing computer application topologies on virtual machines

• US 20070156860A1
• Filed: 12/30/2005
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Nedelcu, Laurentiu, Kashansky, Maor, Ionescu, Radu
• Granted Patent: US 8,145,737 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/220
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/122 of virtualised topologies, e.g. software-defined networks [SDN] or network function virtualisation [NFV]

Abstract

A method and system for discovering, defining, and implementing an application topology through the user of a graphical user interface is provided. A topology system may analyze the topology of an enterprise and provide a graphical representation of the application topology. The topology system may discover the application topology of an enterprise by accessing various configuration data stores of the enterprise. The topology system provides a graphical representation of the application topology and allows a user to modify the topology using a graphical user interface. The topology system may then control the implementation of the application topology.

Claims

1. A computer system for implementing an application topology on a host computer as virtual machines, comprising:

a topology store that stores a topology that includes, for each computer represented by the topology, an indication of a network to which the computer is connected and an indication of applications that are associated with the computer;

a create topology component that executes on the host computer and, for each computer of the topology, creates, configures, and launches a virtual machine in accordance with the topology; and

an initialize virtual machine component that executes when a virtual machine is launched and initializes applications in accordance with the topology.

2. The computer system of claim 1 wherein the create topology component copies an image for each virtual machine to a destination drive.

3. The computer system of claim 2 wherein the image that is copied is either a domain controller image or a non-domain controller image.

4. The computer system of claim 1 wherein the initialize virtual machine component performs either domain controller processing or non-domain controller processing.

5. The computer system of claim 4 wherein when a virtual machine is not a domain controller, it waits until a domain controller completes initialization before configuring its applications.

6. The computer system of claim 5 wherein a virtual machine that is not a domain controller joins a domain, and sets up and configures the associated applications.

7. The computer system of claim 4 wherein when the virtual machine is a domain controller, the virtual machine optionally establishes itself as a domain name service or a certificate authority.

8. The computer system of claim 1 wherein the topology specifies network addresses of the computers and the initialize virtual machine component sets up the network address of the virtual machine.

9. The computer system of claim 1 wherein the create topology component configures the network for the host of the topology.

10. The computer system of claim 1 wherein the topology of the host computer specifies that the virtual machines interact with real machines.

11. The computer system of claim 1 including a graphical user interface component that allows a user to specify the topology by selecting displayed computers and associating selected applications.

12. A method for implementing an application topology on a host computer, the method comprising:

providing a topology that includes, for each computer represented by the topology, an indication of networks to which the computer is connected and an indication of applications that are associated with the computer; and

for each computer of the topology,

creating a virtual machine on the host;

launching the virtual machine in accordance with the topology; and

when the virtual machine is launched, initializing applications of the virtual machine in accordance with the topology.

13. The method of claim 12 including, for each computer of the topology, copying an image for a virtual machine to a destination drive.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the image that is copied is either a domain controller image or a non-domain controller image.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein a virtual machine performs either domain controller processing or non-domain controller processing.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein when a virtual machine is not a domain controller, it waits until a domain controller completes initialization before configuring its applications.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein a virtual machine that is not a domain controller joins a domain, and sets up and configures the associated applications.

18. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to implement an application topology on a host computer, the method comprising:

providing a graphical user interface through which a user can graphically specify an application topology that includes, for machines represented by the topology, an indication of networks to which the machine is connected, and an indication of applications that are associated with the machine; and

for each machine of the topology,

copying an image for the computer to a destination drive;

creating a virtual machine based on the copied image;

launching the virtual machine in accordance with the topology; and

when the virtual machine is launched, initializing applications of the virtual machine in accordance with the topology.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18 wherein when a virtual machine is a not a domain controller, it waits until a domain controller completes initialization before configuring its applications.

20. The computer-readable media of claim 18 including allowing a user to specify the topology by selecting displayed computers and associating selected applications.