Cloud Computing Cost and Energy Optimization through Federated Cloud SoS

Abstract

The two most significant differentiators among contemporary cloud computing service providers have increased green energy use and data center resource utilization. This paper addresses these two issues from a system's architectural optimization viewpoint. The proposed approach herein allows multiple cloud providers to utilize their individual computing resources in three ways by: (1) cutting the number of datacenters needed, (2) scheduling available datacenter grid energy via aggregators to reduce costs and power outages, and lastly by (3) utilizing, where appropriate, more renewable, and carbon-free energy sources. Altogether our proposed approach creates an alternative paradigm for a federated cloud system-of-systems (SoS) approach. The proposed paradigm employs a novel control methodology that is tuned to obtain both financial and environmental advantages. It also supports dynamic expansion and contraction of computing capabilities for handling sudden variations in service demand as well as for maximizing usage of time-varying green energy supplies. Herein we analyze the core SoS requirements, concept synthesis, and functional architecture with an eye on avoiding inadvertent cascading conditions. We suggest a physical architecture that diminishes unwanted outcomes while encouraging desirable results. Finally, in our approach, the constituent cloud services retain their independent ownership, objectives, funding, and sustainability means.