Metering resource usage in a cloud computing environment

摘要

An approach that provides assigning and tracking inter-Cloud operational transactions within a Cloud computing environment in order to meter Cloud resource usage when processing a Cloud service request. In one embodiment, there is a Cloud usage and accounting tool, including a route management component configured to define and manage the physical implementation of delineation points between Clouds. The Cloud usage and accounting tool further includes a workflow control component configured to track inter-Cloud operational transactions as they pass through the delineation points.

主权项

1. A method for metering usage of a plurality of cloud resources in a cloud computing environment when processing a cloud service request, comprising:
defining the physical implementation of delineation points on each cloud of a plurality of clouds in the environment, each of the delineation points comprising a network-type barrier that forms an entry point on a communication path to an associated one of the plurality of clouds for communications from another of the plurality of clouds; assigning each of a plurality of inter-cloud operational transactions to a set of delineation points for entry to and exit from a cloud, wherein the each of the plurality of inter-cloud operational transactions is a transaction that utilizes cloud services of an originating cloud and is transferred by the originating cloud to a receiving cloud, and wherein every operational transaction that is transferred from the originating cloud to the receiving cloud passes through a delineation point associated with the originating cloud and through a delineation point associated with the receiving cloud; tracking, by a delineation point for entry, each of a plurality of inter-cloud operational transactions as each transaction passes through the delineation point for entry entering a cloud; tracking, by a delineation point for exit, each of the plurality of inter-cloud operational transactions as each transaction passes through the delineation point for exit exiting a cloud; maintaining a transaction ledger in each of the plurality of clouds; calculating an amount of time each of the plurality of operational transactions was within each of the plurality of clouds; and storing the amount of time in the respective transaction ledger.