Calculating the effect of an action in a network

An apparatus for calculating the effect of an action on a network includes a mapping module that creates a mapping of a plurality of devices of a networked computing environment. The mapping describes a relationship between a primary device and at least one device of the plurality of devices. The apparatus includes an action module that determines a plurality of potential actions to be performed on the primary device. The apparatus includes a calculation module that calculates an effect of a potential action of the plurality of potential actions on the plurality of devices in response to simulating performing the potential action on the primary device. The apparatus includes an optimization module that performs an optimization action in response to calculating the effect of the potential action. The optimization action maximizes availability of the networked computing environment.

BACKGROUND

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to computer networks and more particularly relates to calculating the effect of an action on the devices within the network.

2. Description of the Related Art

Computer networks involve complex inter-relationships between a variety of computing devices, including both physical and virtual devices. In order to maintain the functionality of the devices on the computer network, various actions may need to be performed on the devices, such as shutting-down a server, performing backups on a server, rebooting a virtual machine, etc. These actions can have negative side-effects on the availability of the network, which can cause users to not be able to access resources normally available via the network.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A method for calculating the effect of an action on a network is disclosed. An apparatus and computer program product also perform the functions of the method. The method for calculating the effect of an action on a network includes creating a mapping of a plurality of devices of a networked computing environment. In one embodiment, the mapping describes a relationship between a primary device and at least one device of the plurality of devices. In another embodiment, the method includes determining a plurality of potential actions to be performed on the primary device. In a further embodiment, the method includes calculating an effect of a potential action of the plurality of potential actions on the plurality of devices in response to simulating performing the potential action on the primary device.

In yet another embodiment, the method includes performing an optimization action in response to calculating the effect of the potential action. In certain embodiments, the optimization action maximizes availability of the networked computing environment. In one embodiment, the optimization action includes predicting an optimal placement of a virtual machine within the networked computing environment according to the calculated effect of the potential action. The optimal placement of the virtual machine, in some embodiments, is determined according to a real-time interaction heuristic of the plurality of devices of the networked computing environment.

In one embodiment, the optimization action includes optimizing workload scheduling associated with one or more devices of the plurality of devices according to the calculated effect of the potential action. In some embodiments, the optimal workload scheduling is determined according to a real-time interaction heuristic of the plurality of devices of the networked computing environment. In another embodiment, the optimization action includes predicting an availability of a device of the plurality of devices according to the calculated effect of the potential action.

In a further embodiment, the optimization action includes determining a monetary cost of the calculated effect of the potential action. In another embodiment, a potential action is performed in response to the calculated effect having a monetary cost below a predetermined threshold. The optimization action, in one embodiment, includes determining the optimal time to perform the potential action according to the calculated effect of the potential action such that the effect of the potential action on the plurality of devices is minimal.

In yet another embodiment, the optimization action includes maintaining an availability of a critical device, which may be determined according to a criticality factor. The criticality factor, in certain embodiments, defines the importance of the device to the operation of the networked computing environment. Devices with a criticality factor above a predetermined threshold, in some embodiments, are tagged as critical devices. In one embodiment, the method includes monitoring one or more simulated actions such that the calculated effects of the one or more simulated actions are analyzed to provide intelligent recommendations associated with maintaining the availability of the networked computing environment.

In another embodiment, the method includes presenting the calculated effect of the potential action to a user such that the calculated effect is displayed on a visual map that includes the plurality of devices of the networked computing environment. In a further embodiment, the method includes ranking a device according to an effect level associated with the device. The effect level, in one embodiment, defines the magnitude of the calculated effect of the potential action on the device. The effect level of the device, in another embodiment, is compared to the effect level of a different device.

In one embodiment, the mapping of the plurality of devices is created according to real-time interactions between the primary device and the plurality of devices. In another embodiment, the calculated effect includes a count of devices effected by the potential action, a count of users effected by the potential action, a degree of impact of the potential action on a device of the plurality of devices, a duration of the calculated effect of the potential action, and/or a frequency of the calculated effect of a regularly performed potential action. In certain embodiments, calculating an effect of a potential action of the plurality of potential actions on the plurality of devices includes using the relationship between the plurality of devices from the mapping to calculate the effect of the potential action on the plurality of device.

An apparatus is included with a mapping module configured to create a mapping of a plurality of devices of a networked computing environment. In one embodiment, the mapping describes a relationship between a primary device and at least one device of the plurality of devices. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes an action module configured to determine a plurality of potential actions to be performed on the primary device. In yet another embodiment, the apparatus includes a calculation module configured to calculate an effect of a potential action of the plurality of potential actions on the plurality of devices in response to simulating performing the potential action on the primary device. The apparatus, in a further embodiment, includes an optimization module configured to perform an optimization action in response to calculating the effect of the potential action such that the optimization action maximizes availability of the networked computing environment.

In one embodiment, the optimization action includes predicting an optimal placement of a virtual machine within the networked computing environment according to the calculated effect of the potential action. In another embodiment, calculating an effect of a potential action of the plurality of potential actions on the plurality of devices includes using the relationship between the plurality of devices from the mapping to calculate the effect of the potential action on the plurality of devices. In yet another embodiment, the apparatus includes a presentation module configured to present the calculated effect of the potential action to a user. In one embodiment, the calculated effect is displayed on a visual map that includes the plurality of devices of the networked computing environment.

A computer program product is included for calculating the effect of an action on a network is disclosed. The computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium having program code embodied therein. The program code is readable and/or executable by a processor to execute the steps of the method. In one embodiment, the steps include creating a mapping of a plurality of devices of a networked computing environment. In one embodiment, the mapping describes a relationship between a primary device and at least one device of the plurality of devices.

In another embodiment, the steps include determining a plurality of potential actions to be performed on the primary device. In a further embodiment, the steps include calculating an effect of a potential action of the plurality of potential actions on the plurality of devices in response to simulating performing the potential action on the primary device. In yet another embodiment, the steps include performing an optimization action in response to calculating the effect of the potential action. In certain embodiments, the optimization action maximizes availability of the networked computing environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The computer readable medium may also be a computer readable signal medium. A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electrical, electro-magnetic, magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport program code for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. Program code embodied on a computer readable signal medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wire-line, optical fiber, Radio Frequency (RF), or the like, or any suitable combination of the foregoing

The computer program product may be shared, simultaneously serving multiple customers in a flexible, automated fashion. The computer program product may be standardized, requiring little customization and scalable, providing capacity on demand in a pay-as-you-go model.

The computer program product may be stored on a shared file system accessible from one or more servers. The computer program product may be executed via transactions that contain data and server processing requests that use Central Processor Unit (CPU) units on the accessed server. CPU units may be units of time such as minutes, seconds, hours on the central processor of the server. Additionally the accessed server may make requests of other servers that require CPU units. CPU units are an example that represents but one measurement of use. Other measurements of use include but are not limited to network bandwidth, memory usage, storage usage, packet transfers, complete transactions etc.

When multiple customers use the same computer program product via shared execution, transactions are differentiated by the parameters included in the transactions that identify the unique customer and the type of service for that customer. All of the CPU units and other measurements of use that are used for the services for each customer are recorded. When the number of transactions to any one server reaches a number that begins to affect the performance of that server, other servers are accessed to increase the capacity and to share the workload. Likewise when other measurements of use such as network bandwidth, memory usage, storage usage, etc. approach a capacity so as to affect performance, additional network bandwidth, memory usage, storage etc. are added to share the workload.

In one embodiment, the service provider requests payment directly from a customer account at a banking or financial institution. In another embodiment, if the service provider is also a customer of the customer that uses the computer program product, the payment owed to the service provider is reconciled to the payment owed by the service provider to minimize the transfer of payments.

The computer program product may be integrated into a client, server and network environment by providing for the computer program product to coexist with applications, operating systems and network operating systems software and then installing the computer program product on the clients and servers in the environment where the computer program product will function.

In one embodiment software is identified on the clients and servers including the network operating system where the computer program product will be deployed that are required by the computer program product or that work in conjunction with the computer program product. This includes the network operating system that is software that enhances a basic operating system by adding networking features.

In one embodiment, software applications and version numbers are identified and compared to the list of software applications and version numbers that have been tested to work with the computer program product. Those software applications that are missing or that do not match the correct version will be upgraded with the correct version numbers. Program instructions that pass parameters from the computer program product to the software applications will be checked to ensure the parameter lists match the parameter lists required by the computer program product. Conversely parameters passed by the software applications to the computer program product will be checked to ensure the parameters match the parameters required by the computer program product. The client and server operating systems including the network operating systems will be identified and compared to the list of operating systems, version numbers and network software that have been tested to work with the computer program product. Those operating systems, version numbers and network software that do not match the list of tested operating systems and version numbers will be upgraded on the clients and servers to the required level.

In response to determining that the software where the computer program product is to be deployed, is at the correct version level that has been tested to work with the computer program product, the integration is completed by installing the computer program product on the clients and servers.

FIG. 1depicts one embodiment of a system100for calculating the effect of an action on a network. In certain embodiments, the system100includes a plurality of devices, including servers102, virtual machines104, and clients108, which are described below. In another embodiment, the system100further includes a network106and a network planning apparatus110, which are also described in more detail below. Although the system100depicts a specific number of networking components102-110, any number of networking components102-110may be included in the system100.

In one embodiment, the system100includes one or more servers102. A server102, in some embodiments, is embodied as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a main frame, a blade server, a cloud server, a rack server, and/or the like. A server102, in another embodiment, includes a database server, a file server, a mail server, a print server, a web server, a gaming server, an application, and/or the like. In certain embodiments, a server102stores data that is accessible to a plurality of clients108connected to the server102through the network106.

In a further embodiment, the system100includes a virtual machine104. The virtual machine104may be located on a server102. In certain embodiments, a server102instantiates and runs a plurality of virtual machines104. As used herein, a virtual machine104is a system platform that supports the execution of a complete operating system in order to more efficiently use hardware on a single server102. For example, a server102may instantiate a virtual machine104running an instance of the Microsoft® Windows® operating system. The same server102may also instantiate a virtual machine104running an instance of a Linux operating system. In another example, a virtual machine104may run an instance of other operating systems such as the z/OS®, z/VM®, or AIX® operating systems from IBM®. In some embodiments, a virtual machine104runs one or more server programs, such as a web server, a mail server, a print server, and/or the like. In certain embodiments, a plurality of clients108are connected to one more virtual machines104through the network106.

In a further embodiment, the system100includes a network106. The network106, in one embodiment, is embodied as a digital communication network106that transmits digital communications between a plurality of devices, such as between a server102and a client108. The digital communication network106may include a wireless network, such as a wireless telephone network, a local wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network, a Bluetooth® network, and the like. The digital communication network106may include a wide area network (“WAN”), a storage area network (“SAN”), a local area network (“LAN”), an optical fiber network, the internet, or other digital communication network known in the art. The digital communication network106may include two or more networks. The digital communication network106includes one or more servers102, routers, switches, and other networking equipment. The digital communication network106may also include computer readable storage media, such as a hard disk drive, an optical drive, non-volatile memory, random access memory (“RAM”), or the like.

In one embodiment, the system100includes one or more clients108connected to one or more servers102and/or virtual machines104. A client108may be embodied as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, a smart TV, a smart watch, and/or the like. In certain embodiments, a client108communicates with the one or more servers102and/or virtual machines104through the data network106. In a further embodiment, a client108runs an instance of a program to communicate with and access data from a server102. For example, a client108may run an instance of a web browser that is in communication with a web server102. In another example, a client108may run an instance of an email program that is in communication with an email server102. In certain embodiments, a user interacts with a client device108.

In another embodiment, the system100includes a network planning apparatus110. In certain embodiments, the network planning apparatus110is configured to create a mapping of the relationships between different devices within the network, such as the relationship between a virtual machine104and a client108. The network planning apparatus110, in one embodiment, determines a plurality of potential actions that can be performed on a primary device and that can have an effect on one or more devices connected to the primary device through the network106if the action is actually performed. In a further embodiment, the network planning apparatus110calculates the effect of a potential action on the plurality of devices by simulating performing the action on the primary device.

In another embodiment, the network planning apparatus110performs an optimization action based on the calculated effect of the potential action on the networked devices in order to maintain the highest availability of the devices. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the network planning apparatus110is located on a server102, a virtual machine104, a client108, and/or different networking devices of the network106, such as switches, hubs, routers, and/or the like. In certain embodiments, the network planning apparatus110includes one or more modules that perform the operations of the apparatus110. The network planning apparatus110, including its associated modules, is described in more detail below with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2depicts one embodiment of an apparatus200for calculating the effect of an action on a network. In one embodiment, the apparatus200includes a network planning apparatus110. The network planning apparatus110, in certain embodiments, includes a mapping module202, an action module204, a calculation module206, and an optimization module208, which are described in more detail below.

In one embodiment, the network planning apparatus110includes a mapping module202configured to create a mapping of a plurality of devices of a networked computing environment. As described above, a device of the networked computing environment may include a server102, a virtual machine104, a client108, and/or a networking device of the network106. In certain embodiments, the mapping module202also identifies one or more clients108connected to the networked computing environment, such as a smart phone or tablet computer. A client108may be connected to the server102, or a virtual machine104running on the server102, through the network106. In one embodiment, the mapping is a snapshot of the connections/relationships between the devices of the plurality of devices at a specific time.

In certain embodiments, the mapping generated by the mapping module202describes a relationship between a primary device and at least one device of the plurality of devices. In one embodiment, the relationship is based on a connection between the primary device and secondary device. For example, a client108connected to a virtual machine104running on a server102would have a strong relationship with the virtual machine104. On the other hand, the same client108would have a weaker relationship with a different virtual machine104running on the same server102. Moreover, the same client108would have an even weaker relationship to a virtual machine104running on a different server102. Thus, more distant connections may have weaker relationships with the primary device than more direct connections.

In one embodiment, the mapping module202automatically discovers devices comprising the mapping of the plurality of devices. In certain embodiments, the mapping module202discovers devices that have a relationship and/or connection to the primary device. For example, based on the connections between a server102and the plurality of devices, the mapping module202automatically discovers the devices that have a connection to the server102, either directly or indirectly, based on the network connections between the devices. The mapping module202, for example, may follow network connections to a predefined depth in order to discover devices of interest and consequently create the mapping of devices of the networked computing environment. In other embodiments, the mapping module202accesses information that includes connection information between devices. For example, the mapping module202may access a device lookup table maintained by a network device, such as a router, in order to discover devices connected to the network device.

In one embodiment, the mapping module202creates a mapping of the networked computing environment based on a relationship level between the primary device and the plurality of devices. A user (e.g., a network administrator), in certain embodiments, configures a relationship level threshold in order to customize the type of mapping that the mapping module202creates. For example, the user may specify that the mapping module202only create a mapping of devices associated with the primary device that have a relationship level of 1.0, which may be defined as a strong relationship. In some embodiments, the threshold relationship level can be set to zero, which would signal to the mapping module202to create a mapping of all devices that have any relationship to the primary device, no matter how tenuous. The mapping module202, in another embodiment, creates a mapping of a subset of the networked computing environment based on input from the user, such as a relationship strength, a device type, and/or the like. For example, the user may specify only generating a mapping of devices directly connected (e.g., devices with a strong relationship) to the primary device. Alternatively, the user may specify only generating a mapping of servers102associated with the primary device.

In another embodiment, the mapping module202creates a mapping of the networked computing environment based on the real-time interactions between the primary device and the plurality of devices. Thus, even though a primary device may be directly connected to another device, if there are no real-time interactions between the devices, the mapping module202will not include the device connected to the primary device in the mapping. For example, an inactive virtual machine104running on a server102may not be included in a mapping associated with the server102if there are no real-time interactions between the virtual machine104and the server102.

In this manner, the mapping module202may report to a user, such as a network administrator, the various devices that are connected to a primary device. Consequently, the mapping generated by the mapping module202provides information regarding the devices that may be effected by an action performed on the primary device. The action performed on the primary device may include a shutdown, an upgrade, a reboot, a software install/remove, and/or the like, which may cause a ripple effect throughout the devices connected to the primary device and, ultimately, effect the availability of the networked computing environment. Thus, it may be beneficial to simulate an action on the primary device in order to determine the consequences of the action before actually performing the action.

The network planning apparatus110, in another embodiment, includes an action module204configured to determine a plurality of potential actions to be performed on the primary device. A potential action, in certain embodiments, includes an action effecting the primary device, devices associated with the primary devices, client devices, the network, and/or the like. For example, the potential actions for a server102may include a shutdown action, a reboot action, an upgrade action, a software install/remove action, a virtual machine provisioning action, and/or the like. A shutdown action, for example, may have an effect not only on the server102, but also on any devices connected to the server102, any virtual machines104running on the server102, and/or the like. In another example, a potential action for a network router may include a shutdown action, a reboot action, a firmware upgrade action, and/or the like.

In another embodiment, a potential action determined by the action module204is a scheduled action, such as a scheduled maintenance action performed on a server102. For example, an action to perform a scheduled backup of a device, such as a server102, may require bringing a web server and/or database down, which would have an effect on clients108connected to the server102. In certain embodiments, the action module204determines a user-generated potential action, such as an action performed by a network administrator, a database administrator, and/or the like. In another embodiment, the action module204determines an agent-generated potential action to be performed by an automated agent. Thus, similar to the example above, a backup agent may trigger backup actions, which may be detected by the action module204, on one or more servers102and/or virtual machines104. The action module204, in some embodiments, determines previously executed actions and provides a list of previously executed actions to a user.

In one embodiment, the network planning apparatus110includes a calculation module206configured to calculate an effect of a potential action of a plurality of potential actions on the plurality of devices in response to simulating performing the potential action on the primary device. Thus, instead of performing the actual action on a primary device and then calculating the effect of that action, the calculation module206calculates the effect of a potential action based on a simulation of the action being performed on the primary device. In this manner, the calculation module206communicates to a user, such as network administrator, the consequences of an action before the action is actually performed, which allows the user to prepare, plan, and optimize when and how actions are performed within the networked computing environment. The calculation module206, in some embodiments, calculates the effect of the simulated action on a device, a task running on the device, users of the device, the entire networked computing environment, and/or the like.

The calculation module206, in certain embodiments, calculates the effect of the action using the relationship between the plurality of devices from the mapping created by the mapping module202. For example, the calculation module206may follow the relationship between a primary server102(e.g., the server where the action is performed) and a different server102on the mapping, and, based on the connectedness of the relationship, determine how the action performed on the primary server102will impact the other server. In certain embodiments, the calculation module206uses real-time interactions between the plurality of devices to determine the calculated effect. In such an embodiment, the calculation module206regularly updates the calculated effect based on the real-time interactions between devices. For example, the calculation module206may update the calculated effect every 30 seconds, 5 minutes, and/or the like. In another example, the calculation module206may update the calculated effect in response to the mapping module202updating the mapping of devices based on the real-time interactions between the plurality of devices. In this manner, the optimal time to perform a particular action on the primary device may be determined based on the calculated effect determined by the calculation module206.

In a further embodiment, the calculation module206calculates the effect of a potential action that is scheduled to be performed as a particular time in response to simulating performing the potential action at the particular time. For example, in order to calculate the effect of a shutdown performed at 3 a.m. on a server102, the calculation module206calculates the effect of the action simulated at 3 a.m. based on a mapping of the plurality of devices created by the mapping module202at the same time.

In certain embodiments, the calculated effect includes calculating the number of devices effected by the potential action and/or the number of users effected by the potential action. For example, the calculation module206may determine the total number of devices and/or users effected by a shutdown of a server102. In some embodiments, the calculated effect includes a duration of the effect of the action. In a further embodiment, the calculated effect includes a frequency of the effect of potential action that is regularly performed. In another example, the calculation module206may calculate the duration of the effect of a shutdown of a server102, while factoring in the frequency of the action and the subsequent effect on the other devices and users.

In another embodiment, the calculated effect includes calculating the degree of impact of the potential action on a device of the plurality of devices. The degree of impact, in some embodiments, includes a combination of difference factors, such as the number of users effected by the action, the number of devices affected by the action, the duration of the action, the frequency of the action, and/or the like. In certain embodiments, the calculation module206calculates an effect level associated with a device based on the degree of impact of the action. For example, if a server102is shutdown, the calculation module206may assign an effect level to a virtual machine104running on the server102by factoring in the number of users effected, the duration of the effect, and the frequency of the effect. As described below with reference toFIG. 3, a ranking module318may use the effect level assigned to a device effected by the action to rank the devices.

In a further embodiment, the network planning apparatus110includes an optimization module208configured to perform an optimization action in response to calculating the effect of the potential action. As described below with reference toFIG. 3, the optimization action comprises one or more actions that maximizes the availability of the networked computing environment. The optimization module208, in another embodiment, provides information to a user, such as a network administrator, regarding the calculated effect such that the user can prepare an optimization plan for the execution of particular actions on the networked computing environment. The optimization module208, in some embodiments, includes various modules302-312, as depicted inFIG. 3, that execute at least a portion of the operations of the optimization module208.

FIG. 3depicts another embodiment of an apparatus300for calculating the effect of an action on a network. In one embodiment, the apparatus300includes a network planning apparatus110. The network planning apparatus110, in certain embodiments, includes a mapping module202, an action module204, a calculation module206, and an optimization module208, which are substantially similar to the mapping module202, action module204, calculation module206, and optimization module208ofFIG. 2. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the network planning apparatus110includes a virtual machine module302, a workload module304, an availability module306, a cost module308, an action scheduling module310, a critical device module312, a monitoring module314, a presentation module316, and a ranking module318, which are described below in more detail. In certain embodiments, the optimization module208uses at least a portion of modules302-312to perform its operations.

In one embodiment, the network planning apparatus110includes a virtual machine module302configured to predict an optimal placement of a virtual machine104within the networked computing environment according to the calculated effect of the potential action. For example, if a critical virtual machine104is shutdown, the virtual machine module302may predict an optimal placement of a redundant virtual machine104that mirrors the critical virtual machine104in order to maintain availability of the critical virtual machine104effected by the shutdown action. In one embodiment, the virtual machine module302is used by the optimization module208to perform the optimization action, i.e., predicting the optimal placement of the virtual machine.

In certain embodiments, the virtual machine module302determines the optimal placement of the virtual machine104according to a real-time interaction heuristic of the plurality of devices of the networked computing environment. In certain embodiments, based on the real-time mapping of devices generated by the mapping module202, the virtual machine module302determines the optimal placement of a virtual machine104to maximize availability of the networked computing environment. For example, based on the workload distribution between the plurality of devices at a given time, the virtual machine module302may determine the optimal placement of a virtual machine104to maximize the availability and efficiency of the networked computing environment. Moreover, the virtual machine module302may factor the calculated effect of one or more potential activities to be performed in order to determine the optimal placement of a virtual machine104at a particular time.

The network planning apparatus110, in another embodiment, includes a workload module304configured to optimize workload scheduling associated with one or more devices of the plurality of devices according to the calculated effect of the potential action. As used herein, a workload refers to a device's ability to handle and process work in a given period of time. Thus, based on the calculated effect of a potential action, the workload module304can plan and distribute the computing workload associated with the plurality of devices in order to maintain a high-availability networked computing environment. For example, if a server102is planned to be shut down at a certain time, the workload module304can plan how to distribute the workload among the other devices based on the effect of the server102shutdown. In one embodiment, the workload module304is used by the optimization module208to perform the optimization action, i.e., optimizing scheduling of the workload among the plurality of devices.

In certain embodiments, the workload module304determines the optimal workload scheduling according to a real-time interaction heuristic of the plurality of devices of the networked computing environment. For example, the workload module304may plan how the workload will be divided among the plurality of devices at a given time based on the real-time interactions among the devices. Thus, if a server102is expecting to process a high workload at the same time as a scheduled shut down, the workload module304may distribute the server's102workload among the devices that have real-time interactions with the server102, which may be based on the real-time mapping created by the mapping module202.

In one embodiment, the network planning apparatus110includes an availability module306configured to predict an availability of a device of the plurality of devices according to the calculated effect of the potential action. In another embodiment, based on the mapping created by the mapping module202, the availability module306predicts which, if any, devices may become unavailable as a result of an action being performed on a primary device. For example, in response to a software application being updated on a virtual machine104, the availability module306may predict the availability of the virtual machine104, and in particular the software application running on the virtual machine104, and/or other devices that may be connected to the virtual machine104. In a similar example, the availability module304may predict the availability of one or more servers102and virtual machines104based on a switch within the network106being shut down.

In one embodiment, the availability module306generates an action plan associated with potential actions that may have an effect on the availability of certain devices in the networked computing environment. In certain embodiments, one or more virtual machines104may be instantiated to compensate for the unavailability of one or more devices based on the optimal placement of the virtual machines being determined by the virtual machine module302. In one embodiment, the availability module306is used by the optimization module208to perform the optimization action, i.e., predicting the availability of a device.

In a further embodiment, the network planning apparatus110includes a cost module308configured to determine a monetary cost of the calculated effect of the potential action. The monetary cost may define the cost of downtime caused by device shut downs, device upgrades, software upgrades, firmware upgrades, and/or the like. In certain embodiments, a potential action is performed in response to the calculated effect having a monetary cost below a predetermined threshold. The cost module308, in one embodiment, determines an optimal cost threshold such that an action is only performed at a time when the cost of the action is minimal. For example, the cost module308may determine an action that may cause a server102to be shutdown has a higher cost during regular business hours than in the middle of the night. The cost module308, in certain embodiments, creates recommendations and predictions of the most optimal times to perform an action based on the minimal cost of the action. The optimal cost threshold, as defined by the cost module308, may be customized by the network administrator such that the network administrator may specify the cost threshold required to perform an action. In one embodiment, the cost module308is used by the optimization module208to perform the optimization action, i.e., determining the monetary cost of a potential action.

In another embodiment, the network planning apparatus110includes an action scheduling module310configured to determine the optimal time to perform the potential action according to the calculated effect of the potential action such that the effect of the potential action on the plurality of devices is minimal. For example, the action scheduling module310may determine that the optimal time to schedule a shutdown action on a server102is sometime in the middle of the night instead of during regular business hours because shutting down the server102may cause one or more devices (e.g., virtual machines104) to be unavailable. A network administrator may use this information to schedule performing actions at optimal times such that the effect of the action on the availability of the plurality of devices is minimal.

In some embodiments, the action scheduling module310uses the mapping of real-time interactions created by the mapping module202to determine the optimal time to perform an action based on the effect of the action on the real-time interactions. Thus, in some embodiments, performing an action during regular business hours may be the most optimal time to perform the action if the action scheduling module310determines the effect of the action at that time has the least effect on the interactions between the plurality of devices. In one embodiment, the action scheduling module310is used by the optimization module208to perform the optimization action, i.e., determining the optimal time to perform the potential action.

The network planning apparatus110, in certain embodiments, includes a critical device module312configured to maintain an availability of a critical device. The critical device module312, in certain embodiments, determines a critical device by calculating a criticality factor associated with the device, which defines the importance of the device to the operation of the networked computing environment. The critical device module312, in some embodiments, tags a device having a criticality factor above a predetermined threshold as a critical device. Thus, for example, a primary server102running a plurality of virtual machines104, databases, and web servers may be tagged by the critical device module312as a critical device based on the importance of the server102to the networked computing environment. The criticality factor, as determined by the critical device module312, may be calculated using factors such as the type of device, the number of users connected to the device, the number of relationships with other devices, the types of services running on the device, the effect of the unavailability of the device, and/or the like.

In this manner, the critical device module312communicates to a network administrator the devices that are critical to the functioning of the networked computing environment. This information may be used to plan performing actions accordingly, in order to maintain the availability of the networked computing environment. For example, a network administrator can ensure that an action is not performed that may have an effect on more than one critical device at the same time. Thus, if an action is going to effect the availability of a critical device, as determined by the critical device module312, the network administrator can plan to perform the action at a time when availability of the device is least necessary. Alternatively, the network administrator can change the workload schedule, instantiate virtual machines104, and/or the like to compensate for the downtime of the critical device. In one embodiment, the critical device module312is used by the optimization module208to perform the optimization action, i.e., determining critical devices within the networked computing environment.

In one embodiment, the network planning apparatus110includes a monitoring module314configured to monitor one or more simulated actions. In one embodiment, monitoring a simulated action includes collecting data associated with the simulated action, such as the calculated effect of the action, the time the action was performed, the type of action performed, the device where the action was performed, and/or the like. In another embodiment, the monitoring module314analyzes the calculated effects of the one or more simulated actions in order to provide intelligent recommendations associated with maintaining the availability of the networked computing environment. For example, the monitoring module314may continuously monitor previously simulated actions and collect data associated with the calculated effects of those actions. The monitoring module314may also analyze the collected data in order to provide intelligent recommendations, such as the optimal times to perform an action, an optimal sequence to perform multiple actions, and/or the like, such that the impact of one or more actions on the networked computing environment is minimal.

The network planning apparatus110, in some embodiments, includes a presentation module316configured to present the calculated effect of a potential action to a user. In certain embodiments, the presentation module316displays the calculated effect on a visual map comprising the plurality of devices of the networked computing environment. For example, the presentation module316may present the calculated effect of a potential action on a visual representation of the mapping created by the mapping module202. Thus, the visual map may include different visual cues of the calculated effect of a potential action such that a network administrator can easily and quickly get an overview of the impact of the potential action. For example, the presentation module316may highlight the devices that have been tagged as critical devices by the critical device module312, visually highlight all the devices that may be effected by the potential action, the effect level of associated with each device, a relationship level associated with a device describing the relationship between a device and the primary device, and/or the like. Moreover, the presentation module316may display an estimate of the number of users affected by the action being performed at a specific time.

In another embodiment, the presentation module316presents one or more optimization results as determined by the optimization module208. For example, the presentation module316may display the optimal times to perform an action, the optimal placement of a virtual machine104at a specific period of time, the optimal scheduling of a workload at a specific time, availability predictions, monetary costs associated with the action, and/or the like. In this manner, a network administrator, or similar user, may view results based on a simulation of the action being performed on a primary device at a specific time and can prepare for the impact of performing the actual action on the primary device. Moreover, based on the data collected by the monitoring module314, together with the results determined by the optimization module208, the network administrator may prepare an optimization plan to maintain the availability of the networked computing environment at a high level while performing one or more actions.

The network planning apparatus110, in certain embodiments, includes a ranking module318configured to rank a device according to an effect level associated with the device. In one embodiment the calculation module206calculates an effect level for each device of the plurality of devices. In some embodiments, the effect level defines the magnitude of the calculated effect of the potential action on a device. The ranking module318, in one embodiment, compares the effect level of the device to the effect level of a different device in order to rank the device. For example, a server102having a higher effect level than a network switch will be ranked higher than the network switch. In certain embodiments, a list of devices sorted according to rank is presented to a user by the presentation module316. In this manner, a user, such as a network administrator, can quickly view which devices are impacted the most by performing the action and can plan accordingly. The presentation module316may also display a device's rank next to a representation of the device on the visual map.

FIG. 4depicts one embodiment of a mapping400of a networked computing environment. In one embodiment, the mapping400includes a server ‘A’402, which includes a plurality of virtual machines404a-c. The mapping400, in a further embodiment, includes a network switch406, a server ‘B’408a, a server ‘C’408b, and a plurality of users410, which are described in more detail below.

In certain embodiments, the mapping400is visually presented to a user (e.g., a network administrator) by the presentation module316such that the user can get an overview of the networked computing environment and the effect that an action performed on a device may have on other devices. In one embodiment, the mapping400is a snapshot of the networked computing environment at a particular time. In the depicted embodiment, server ‘A’402is the primary device, meaning that server ‘A’402has been selected as the target device to perform a potential action412. Server ‘A’402, in another embodiment, includes a plurality of virtual machines404a-c, with each virtual machine404a-chaving one or more connected users410. In a further embodiment, server ‘A’402is connected to a network switch406. The switch406may also be connected to server ‘B’408aand server ‘C’408b, with each server408a-balso having one or more connected users410.

In certain embodiments, the mapping400describes the relationships between the primary device, e.g., server ‘A’402, and the other devices in the networked computing environment. The action412may be a potential action412, which is representative of an actual action that may be performed on the networked computing environment. The potential action412may be simulated on server ‘A’402in order to calculate the effect of the action on the plurality of devices having a relationship with server ‘A’402. For example, the action412may be a shutdown action that causes server ‘A’402to be shut down for a certain amount of time. The calculation module206, in one embodiment, calculates the effect of the action412on the plurality of devices in response to simulating performing the action412on server ‘A’402.

The calculated effect, as determined by the calculation module206, of a shutdown action, for example, may include calculating the number of devices and/or users effected by the shutdown action, the duration of the calculated effect, the frequency of the calculated effect, and an overall impact of the action on a device. For example, in the depicted embodiment, in response to a shutdown action performed on server ‘A’402, the virtual machines404a-cwould also be shut down and unavailable to their connected users410. Moreover, server ‘B’408aand server ‘C’408bmay be effected to some degree if, for example, the servers408a-baccess data stored on server ‘A’402.

The mapping400, in certain embodiments, presents information414associated with each device such that a network administrator can better determine how to react to the calculated effect of the action on a per device level. The displayed information414may include a relationship strength, an effect level, and a criticality factor. Thus, virtual machine404amay have a strong relationship with server ‘A’402e.g., a strength value of ‘1.0’ may correspond to a strong relationship). Further, virtual machine404amay also have a high effect level, meaning that the action performed on server ‘A’402will have a direct effect on virtual machine404a. Moreover, the criticality factor of virtual machine404a, in this case ‘1.0’, indicates that this virtual machine404ais a critical device. Therefore, a network administrator, for example, may plan to start a cloned or mirrored virtual machine on a different server to compensate for the time that virtual machine404ais down. Moreover, the number of users416connected and/or effected by the action at a particular time may be presented on the mapping400.

In some embodiments, a time period418is presented on the mapping400in order to simulate the action being performed at a particular day and/or time. Simulating performing an action at a specific time enables a network administrator to schedule the performance of one or more actions such that the calculated effect of the actions is minimal. For example, the optimal time for a shut down action may be during a time when the number of users connected to a device is the lowest or when the number of interactions between the devices is minimal. The mapping400, therefore, provides a user (e.g., network administrator) a way to identify the devices in the networked computing environment, including critical devices and how a performed action will impact the devices and/or users connected to the devices. The network administrator, in response to receiving this information, may plan the timing of performing actions and may optimize the availability of the networked computing environment in light of the calculated effect of the performed actions.

FIG. 5depicts one embodiment of a method500for calculating the effect of an action on a network. In one embodiment, the method500begins and a mapping module202creates502a mapping on a plurality of devices of a networked computing environment. In certain embodiments, the mapping describes a relationship between a primary device and at least one device of the plurality of devices. In another embodiment, an action module204determines504a plurality of potential actions to be performed on a primary device. A calculation module206, in a further embodiment, calculates506an effect of a potential action of the plurality of potential actions on the plurality of devices in response to simulating performing the potential action on the primary device. In one embodiment, an optimization module208performs508an optimization action in response to calculating the effect of the potential action such that the optimization action maximizes the availability of the networked computing environment. And the method500ends.

FIG. 6depicts another embodiment of a method600for calculating the effect of an action on a network. In one embodiment, the method600begins and a mapping module202creates602a mapping on a plurality of devices of a networked computing environment. In another embodiment, an action module204determines604a plurality of potential actions to be performed on a primary device. A calculation module206, in a further embodiment, calculates606an effect of a potential action of the plurality of potential actions on the plurality of devices in response to simulating performing the potential action on the primary device. In one embodiment, an optimization module208performs508an optimization action in response to calculating the effect of the potential action. An optimization action, in certain embodiments, maximizes the availability of the networked computing environment.

In one embodiment, the optimization action includes predicting610the optimal placement of a virtual machine104within the networked computing environment according to the calculated effect of the potential action. In certain embodiments, a virtual machine module302predicts610the optimal placement of the virtual machine104. In another embodiment, the optimization action includes optimizing612workload scheduling associated with one or more devices of the plurality of devices. In one embodiment, a workload module304optimizes612workload scheduling of the plurality of devices. In a further embodiment, the optimization action includes predicting614the availability of one or more devices of the plurality of devices according to the calculated effect of the potential action. In certain embodiments, an availability module306predicts614the availability of a device.

In one embodiment, the optimization action includes determining616the monetary cost of the calculated effect of the potential action. In some embodiments, a cost module308determines616the monetary cost of the calculated effect. In another embodiment, the optimization action includes determining618the optimal time to perform the potential action according to the calculated effect of the potential action such that the effect of the potential action on the plurality of devices is minimal. In one embodiment, an action scheduling module310determines618the optimal time to perform a potential action. In yet another embodiment, the optimization action includes maintaining620an availability of a critical device, which is identified based on a criticality factor associated with the device. In one embodiment, a critical device module312maintains620the availability of a critical device.

After an optimization action is performed, in one embodiment, the optimization module208determines622whether there are more optimization actions to be performed. If the optimization module208determines622there are more optimization actions to be performed, the optimization module208performs608the optimization action according to the calculated effect. Otherwise, a presentation module316presents the calculated effect of the potential action to a user. In some embodiments, the presentation module316presents the calculated effect on a visual map that includes the plurality of devices of the networked computing environment. And the method600ends.