Method and apparatus for dynamically assigning resources of a distributed server infrastructure

A non-transitory computer-usable data carrier storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out a method for dynamically assigning resources of a distributed server infrastructure, the method comprising:

• comparing an observed relative load of an assigned portion of said distributed server infrastructure with a desired relative load;
• if said observed relative load exceeds said desired relative load:
• transmitting instructions to said distributed server infrastructure to assign additional resources, and
• redistribute tasks from said assigned portion to said additional resources, said redistributing comprising waiting until ongoing transactions related to said sessions are finished and migrating said sessions to said additional resources;
• and
• if said desired relative load exceeds said desired relative load:
• transmitting instructions to said distributed server infrastructure to select removable resources,
• redistribute tasks from said removable resources to other resources in said assigned portion, said redistributing comprising waiting until ongoing transactions related to said sessions on said moveable resources are finished and migrating said sessions to said additional resources, and
• remove said removable resources from said assigned portion;
• wherein said redistributing of tasks is performed in such a way that state information related to said tasks is preserved.

A system for dynamically assigning resources of a distributed server infrastructure, the system comprising:

• a monitoring agent configured to observe a relative load of an assigned portion of said distributed server infrastructure;
• a processor, operatively connected to said monitoring agent, said processor being configured to compare said observed relative load with a desired relative load;
• and
• a management agent, configured to transmit instructions to said distributed server infrastructure, and to act according to rules in response to said comparing, the rules comprising:
• if said observed relative load exceeds said desired relative load:
• transmit instructions to said distributed server infrastructure to assign additional resources, and
• redistribute tasks from said assigned portion to said additional resources, said redistributing comprising waiting until ongoing transactions related to said sessions are finished and migrating said sessions to said additional resources;
• and
• if said desired relative load exceeds said observed relative load:
• transmit instructions to said distributed server infrastructure to select removable resources,
• redistribute tasks from said removable resources to other resources in said assigned portion, said redistributing comprising waiting until ongoing transactions related to said sessions on said moveable resources are finished and migrating said sessions to said additional resources, and
• remove said removable resources from said assigned portion.