Holographic enterprise network

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/747,147, filed on May 10, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The invention relates generally to providing three dimensional data, and more particularly to a scalable interface for converting standard enterprise information into holographic data for representing operations centers.

As greater demands are placed on operations centers, such as those utilized by information technology providers, utility providers, military and intelligence, service centers, etc., the greater the management challenges become. For instance, a data center, which is used to house mission critical computer systems and associated components (e.g., server hardware, environmental controls, redundant/backup power supplies, redundant data communications connections, high security systems, etc.), may be housed in large buildings covering tens of thousands of square feet. Managing all of the operations of such a facility can be both difficult and costly.

One approach to managing such a facility is to utilize some type of virtual representation of the operations center, which can provide operational information and allow the operator to respond or act accordingly. However, current approaches lack a standardized and scalable interface for converting data back and forth between real world data generated from standard enterprises processes and three dimensional data. Accordingly, a need exists for a standardized interface that addresses the above-mentioned issues.

The present invention addresses the above-mentioned problems, as well as others, by providing a virtual network operations center to provide an enhanced method of human interaction with systems and processes in an operations center.

Aspects of the invention provide a solution for implementing a holographic enterprise network. The solution can provide an interface between an operations center and a three dimensional (3D) virtual simulator system capable of rendering holographic images of the operations center. A holographic enterprise interface can translate standard enterprise data associated with the operations center and 3D holographic data. Parallel communications between the holographic enterprise interface and a 3D data processing infrastructure having a holographic bus also can be managed.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a computer infrastructure comprising: a computer system for providing an interface between an operations center and a three dimensional (3D) virtual simulator system capable of rendering holographic images of the operations center by performing a method including: translating standard enterprise data associated with standard enterprise processes executing on the operations center into 3D holographic data associated with the operations center; and directly translating modifications of the 3D holographic data into standard enterprise data, wherein the 3D holographic data is stored using a holographic protocol architecture (HPA) format.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a computer program product stored on a computer readable storage device, which when executed, provides an interface between an operations center and a three dimensional (3D) virtual simulator system capable of rendering holographic images of the operations center by performing a method comprising: translating standard enterprise data associated with standard enterprise processes executing on the operations center into 3D holographic data associated with the operations center; and directly translating modifications of the 3D holographic data into standard enterprise data, wherein the 3D holographic data is stored using a holographic protocol architecture (HPA) format.

In a third aspect, the invention provides a method for managing an operations center from a three dimensional (3D) virtual simulator system capable of rendering holographic images of the operations center, the method comprising: translating standard enterprise data associated with standard enterprise processes executing on the operations center into 3D holographic data associated with the operations center; and directly translating modifications of the 3D holographic data into standard enterprise data, wherein the 3D holographic data is stored using a holographic protocol architecture (HPA) format.

These and other features of this invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a computer infrastructure having a holographic enterprise interface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts an architectural view of a holographic enterprise interface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3 and 4 depict illustrative holographic renderings of a data center.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a web portal 10 having an interface infrastructure 11 for converting between (1) standard enterprise data 30 from standard enterprise process 26 and (2) three dimensional (3D) data that can be displayed and manipulated in a 3D virtual simulator system 42 . Infrastructure 11 includes a computer system 10 having a holographic enterprise interface 18 . Holographic enterprise interface 18 includes a translation system 20 for translating standard enterprise data 30 into a holographic protocol architecture (HPA) format using a plugin framework 22 , and vice versa. Communication channel manager 24 implements an underlying transport, XML-RPC, which allows bi-directional communications.

XML-RPC is a remote procedure call protocol which uses XML to encode its calls and HTTP as a transport mechanism. It is a very simple protocol, defining only a handful of data types and commands, and the entire description can be printed on two pages of paper.

In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the standard enterprise processes 26 are associated with an operations center 13 , such as a data center. 3D virtual simulator system 42 thus provides a 3D graphical interface that provides a virtual representation of, and interface into, the operations center 13 . In particular, data can be passed back and forth in near real-time such that actual operational information can be viewed in the 3D virtual simulator system 42 and operations affecting the operations centers 13 can be implemented via the 3D virtual simulator system 42 .

Thus, the holographic enterprise interface 18 connects to back end systems (i.e., standard enterprise processes 26 ), transforms their native systems management interfaces into the HPA, and manages communications with the virtual world. This includes, e.g., rendering a 3D representation of a data center, its middleware, and processes. Advantages of such a 3d model include immersive interaction with familiar spatial and visual characteristics, the ability for multiple personnel to interact together in the virtual environment despite geographic distances, and many other significant advantages. In addition to providing XML-RPC, communication channel manager 24 can also allow other communication formats to flow back and forth, including, e.g., email, HTTP, binary packets, etc.

As noted, a plugin framework 22 is provided within translation system 20 to allow for ease of use and scalability. Illustrative plugins for processes common to an enterprise environment may include, e.g., eWML, Director, SAP, xcat, WAS, LoadLeveler, etc.

Also shown as part of infrastructure 11 is 3D data processing system 32 , which transmits and receives HPA data using XML-RPC to and from holographic enterprise interface 18 . Such communications can be local in nature (e.g., with a single computing device) or remote (e.g., over a network, such as the Internet).

3D data processing system 32 includes data channel banks 34 , e.g., XML-RPC and email channels, IO queues 36 , a communications hub 38 , and a holographic bus 40 . Data channel banks allow for parallel messaging, the IO queues 36 manage asynchronous communications, and the communications hub 38 dispatches and routes messages from all channels to the holographic bus 40 . The holographic bus 40 then delivers messages to the appropriate rendering infrastructure.

FIG. 2 depicts an architectural representation 50 of the interface infrastructure 11 of FIG. 1 . On the right side of the dotted line is the holographic enterprise interface that includes a plugin framework 52 having various plugins 56 for translating between two dimensional (2D) data and 3D data (i.e., HPA). Also included is a communications framework 54 for managing communications including events, scheduling, database operations, logging, management and kernel operations. As noted communications between 2D environment and the 3D environment occur using HPA and XML-RPC 58 .

On the left hand side of FIG. 3 is the 3D infrastructure 60 , including a data channel bank for receiving and sending data from and to the 2D infrastructure, a queue, a communication hub, and a holographic bus. FIGS. 3 and 4 depict illustrative renderings of an operations center in a 3D virtual simulator system 42 ( FIG. 1 ).

Referring back to FIG. 1 , it is understood that computer system 10 may be implemented using any type of computing device, and may be implemented as part of a client and/or a server. Computer system 10 generally includes a processor 12 , input/output (I/O) 14 , memory 16 , and bus 17 . The processor 12 may comprise a single processing unit, or be distributed across one or more processing units in one or more locations, e.g., on a client and server. Memory 16 may comprise any known type of data storage and/or transmission media, including magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), a data cache, a data object, etc. Moreover, memory 16 may reside at a single physical location, comprising one or more types of data storage, or be distributed across a plurality of physical systems in various forms.

I/O 14 may comprise any system for exchanging information to/from an external resource. External devices/resources may comprise any known type of external device, including a monitor/display, speakers, storage, another computer system, a hand-held device, keyboard, mouse, voice recognition system, speech output system, printer, facsimile, pager, etc. Bus 17 provides a communication link between each of the components in the computer system 10 and likewise may comprise any known type of transmission link, including electrical, optical, wireless, etc. Although not shown, additional components, such as cache memory, communication systems, system software, etc., may be incorporated into computer system 10 .

Access to computer system 10 may be provided over a network such as the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a virtual private network (VPN), etc. Communication could occur via a direct hardwired connection (e.g., serial port), or via an addressable connection that may utilize any combination of wireline and/or wireless transmission methods. Moreover, conventional network connectivity, such as Token Ring, Ethernet, WiFi or other conventional communications standards could be used. Still yet, connectivity could be provided by conventional TCP/IP sockets-based protocol. In this instance, an Internet service provider could be used to establish interconnectivity. Further, as indicated above, communication could occur in a client-server or server-server environment. 3D data processing system 32 and 3D virtual simulator system 42 may likewise be implemented on any type of computer system, such as that described above.

It should be appreciated that the teachings of the present invention could be offered as a business method on a subscription or fee basis. For example, a computer system 10 comprising holographic enterprise interface 18 could be created, maintained and/or deployed by a service provider that offers the functions described herein for customers. That is, a service provider could offer to provide data processing as described above.

It is understood that the systems, functions, mechanisms, methods, engines and modules described herein can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. They may be implemented by any type of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein. A typical combination of hardware and software could be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein. Alternatively, a specific use computer, containing specialized hardware for carrying out one or more of the functional tasks of the invention could be utilized. In a further embodiment, part or all of the invention could be implemented in a distributed manner, e.g., over a network such as the Internet.

The present invention can also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods and functions described herein, and which—when loaded in a computer system—is able to carry out these methods and functions. Terms such as computer program, software program, program, program product, software, etc., in the present context mean any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: (a) conversion to another language, code or notation; and/or (b) reproduction in a different material form.

The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined by the accompanying claims.