On-demand feature server activation in the cloud

摘要

A feature activation system provides a mixed computing environment that includes a server and cloud computing. The hybrid model splits the execution of a communication feature between the cloud and the enterprise server installed at or with the enterprise. Service activation is linked to a portal that can communicate with either an intermediary system or directly with an entity executing computer programs in the cloud. When the customer desires to use a feature, the customer accesses the portal and activates the feature the enterprise desires. In the background, the portal instantiates a virtual machine, on any cloud platform, and then installs the feature with virtual machine on that cloud server. To execute feature, the enterprise server and the virtual machine exchange information between the server and the cloud and allow the feature to access the enterprise server or enterprise data. When the user has completed feature execution, the instance of the feature may be stopped and discarded and any data may be saved either at the enterprise or within the cloud.

主权项

1. A method for executing a feature, the method comprising:
an intermediary server receiving a selection of the feature from an enterprise server; determining instantiation requirements for the feature; the intermediary server generating an activation signal for cloud processing to activate the feature in a cloud; wherein the cloud instantiates and executes the feature for the enterprise server; storing information about the selection of the feature in both the enterprise server and the intermediary server; and in response to storing the information about the selection of the feature, the intermediary server pushing feature code to the enterprise server, wherein the intermediary server receives payment for the feature from the enterprise server and forwards the payment for the feature to the cloud.