Systems and methods for managing a software subscription in a cloud network

• US 8,606,667 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2010
• Issued: 12/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Red Hat, Inc. (International Business Machines Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Red Hat, Inc. (International Business Machines Corporation)
• Inventors: Ferris, James Michael, Riveros, Gerry Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Zeender, Ryan
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHEIN, ALLEN C
• Application Number:
  US12/714,096
• Publication Number:
  US 20110213686A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,383 Days
• Field of Search: 718/104
• US Class Current: 705/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/505 considering the load
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5072 Grid computing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5077 Logical partitioning of resources; Management or configuration of virtualized resources specific details on emulation or internal functioning of virtual machines G06F9/455
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/184 Intellectual property management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/72 using reservation actions during connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/783 Distributed allocation of resources, e.g. bandwidth brokers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/83 based on usage prediction
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34

Abstract

Embodiments relate to systems and methods for managing a software subscription between an independent software vendor (ISV) and a cloud network provider. In embodiments, the software subscription can be a Software as a Service (SaaS) agreement whereby an amount of resources of the cloud network to be operated by end users can be specified. In embodiments, a resource tracking module associated with the cloud network can track the actual amount of resources operated by the end users in executing applications associated with the ISV. The resource tracking module can compare the actual amount to the amount specified in the SaaS, and adjust the resources of the cloud network accordingly. In embodiments, the SaaS can be updated based on the adjustment.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by a first cloud network of a first cloud network provider, a request to use a set of virtual machines for a registered independent software vendor (ISV) having a first subscription plan registered to a first cloud network of the first cloud network provider, wherein the set of virtual machines is configured to serve at least one application to an end user;

interfacing, by the first cloud network provider, with a second cloud network provider to coordinate execution of the set of virtual machines between the first cloud network and a second cloud network of the second cloud network provider,

wherein the ISV has a second subscription plan registered to the second cloud network;

adjusting, by a processor of the first cloud network provider, a resource allocation distribution associated with the set of virtual machines between the first cloud network and the second cloud network in view of a comparison between tracked usage of the at least one application on the set of virtual machines and a usage specified in the request; and

updating, by the processor, the first subscription plan and the second subscription plan for use of the set of virtual machines based on the adjustment to the resource allocation distribution.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the resource allocation distribution associated with the set of virtual machines comprises increasing or decreasing an amount of available virtual machines.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the resource allocation distribution associated with the set of virtual machines comprises increasing or decreasing an amount of time available for the end user to use the set of virtual machines.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein updating the first subscription plan and the second subscription plan comprises adjusting a fee structure charged to the ISV for the first subscription plan and for the second subscription plan.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the usage, by the end user, of the at least one application on the set of virtual machines is tracked based on an amount of time the end user uses the set of virtual machines.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the usage, by the end user, of the at least one application on the set of virtual machines is tracked based on an amount of resources operated when the end user uses the set of virtual machines.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one application is provided by the ISV.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first cloud network provider comprises a first cloud management system and wherein the second cloud network provider comprises a second cloud management system.

9. A system of a first cloud network provider, comprising:

a memory; and

a processor, coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to;

receive a request to use a set of virtual machines for a registered independent software vendor (ISV) having a first subscription plan registered to a first cloud network of the first cloud network provider,

wherein the set of virtual machines is configured to serve at least one application to an end user;

interface with a second cloud network provider to coordinate execution of the set of virtual machines between the first cloud network and a second cloud network of the second cloud network provider,

wherein the ISV has a second subscription plan registered to the second cloud network;

adjust a resource allocation distribution associated with the set of virtual machines the first cloud network and the second cloud network in view of a comparison between tracked usage of the at least one application on the set of virtual machines and a usage specified in the request; and

update the first subscription plan and the second subscription plan based on the adjustment to the resource allocation distribution.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the resource allocation distribution is adjusted by increasing or decreasing an amount of user-level virtual machines available in the first cloud network.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the resource allocation distribution is adjusted by increasing or decreasing an amount of time available for the end user to use the at least one user-level virtual machine.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the first subscription plan is updated by adjusting a fee structure charged to the software vendor.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the usage, by the end user, of the at least one application on the at least one user-level virtual machine is tracked based on an amount of time the end user uses the at least one user-level virtual machine.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the usage, by the end user, of the at least one application on the at least one user-level virtual machine is tracked based on an amount of resources operated when the end user uses the at least one user-level virtual machine.

15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions that, when executed by a processor of a first cloud network provider, cause the processor processing device to perform operations comprising:

receiving, by the first cloud network provider a request to use a set of virtual machines for a registered independent software vendor (ISV) having a first subscription plan registered to a first cloud network of the first cloud network provider,

wherein the set of virtual machines is configured to serve at least one application to an end user;

interfacing, by the cloud management system for the first cloud network provider, with a second cloud network provider to coordinate execution of the set of virtual machines between the first cloud network and a second cloud network of the second cloud network provider,

wherein the ISV has a second subscription plan registered to the second cloud network;

adjusting, by the processor, an allocation of resources, of the first cloud network and the second cloud network, associated with the set of virtual machines in view of a comparison between tracked usage of the at least one application on the set of virtual machines and a usage specified in the request; and

updating, by the processor, the first subscription plan and the second subscription plan for use of the set of virtual machines based on the adjustment to the allocation of the resources.

16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein updating the first subscription plan and the second subscription plan comprises adjusting a fee structure charged to the ISV for the first subscription plan and for the second subscription plan.

17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein adjusting the allocation of the resources associated with the set of virtual machines comprises increasing or decreasing an amount of available virtual machines.

18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the first cloud network provider comprises a first cloud management system and wherein the second cloud network provider comprises a second cloud management system.