Netflix patents automated system to test server stability
This patent describes a method for automatically checking if groups of servers, called clusters, can handle stress without crashing. The system creates a specific test plan, applies it to the servers, and monitors their performance to see if they meet set goals. If the servers fail, the system automatically adjusts their settings and retests them until they pass or a limit is reached.
In the filing’s own words
One embodiment sets forth a technique for automatically identifying clusters within a network to be tested for resilience. The technique includes the steps of determining that a first condition precedent for testing a first cluster within the network for resilience has been satisfied; determining that the first cluster should be tested for resilience based on a first property associated with the first cluster; in response to determining that the first condition precedent has been satisfied and determining that the first cluster should be tested for resilience, generating a cluster resilience test package for the first cluster; automatically causing the first cluster to be tested under a cluster resilience test in accordance with the cluster resilience test package. Another embodiment sets forth techniques for automatically carrying out the cluster resilience test in accordance with the cluster resilience test package.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A computer-implemented method for automatically testing clusters within a network for resilience, the method comprising: receiving a cluster resilience test package associated with a cluster resilience test for a cluster; establishing one or more configuration settings for the cluster based on the cluster resilience test package; causing the cluster to implement the one or more configuration settings; causing network traffic to be routed to the cluster based on one or more traffic shaping rules included in the cluster resilience test package; analyzing telemetry information associated with the cluster to determine whether one or more performance goals included in the cluster resilience test package are satisfied; responsive to determining that the one or more performance goals are satisfied, causing at least one cluster to implement the one or more configuration settings; and responsive to determining that the one or more performance goals are not satisfied, iteratively adjusting the one or more configuration settings based on the telemetry information, and analyzing updated telemetry information associated with the cluster, until the one or more performance goals are satisfied or a predefined number of adjustments are made to the one or more configuration settings.
Facts
- Company
- Netflix (NETFLIX, INC.)
- Official title
- Techniques for automating resilience testing of clusters in a distributed computing environment
- Patent number
- US12750421B2
- Application number
- 19041809
- Filed
- Jan 30, 2025
- Granted
- Sep 29, 2026
- Inventors
- 3
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H04L 67/1008 Electricity & electronicsH04L 41/5012 Electricity & electronicsH04L 47/22 Electricity & electronicsMore from Netflix in AI & software
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.