Assist Logical Processor Task Allocation for Server Consolidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-tier server networks face increased complexity and cost due to the proliferation of dedicated application servers, which can reduce reliability and increase the total cost of ownership, especially when processing high-level programming applications like JAVA that require significant processor instructions.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates standard and assist logical processors sharing a common operating system instance, with a switch-to service that allocates tasks between them based on availability and priority, allowing for seamless workload distribution and consolidation of processing functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dedicated application servers are proliferated to handle high-level programming applications, then processing capability is improved, but device complexity and total cost of ownership increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines application server functions and database server functions into a single integrated server platform. The system allows application programs written in high-level languages like JAVA to execute directly on the database server, eliminating the need for separate dedicated application servers. This merging reduces network complexity while maintaining processing capability for high-level programming applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The database server is designed to perform multiple functions: it can execute both database management tasks and application programs simultaneously. The server provides a universal platform that supports various programming languages and application types, making it adaptable to different workloads without requiring specialized dedicated servers for each function.
2Productivity
If dedicated application servers are added to handle JAVA applications, then processing capability is improved, but cost of ownership increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging application server capabilities into the database server, the system eliminates the need to purchase, deploy, and maintain separate application server hardware and software licenses. This consolidation reduces the quantity of computing resources required while maintaining the ability to process JAVA and other high-level programming applications effectively.
3Device complexity
If application servers are integrated onto database servers, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments different types of workloads into separate address spaces or partitions within the server. Application programs execute in one environment while database operations occur in another, with controlled interaction between them. This segmentation isolates potential failure points and maintains system stability while allowing functional integration.
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments include a system and storage medium for managing computer processing functions in a multi-processor computer environment. The system includes a physical processor, a standard logical processor, an assist logical processor sharing a same logical partition as the standard logical processor, and a single operating system instance associated with the logical partition, the single operating system instance including a switch-to service and a switch-from service. The system also includes a dispatch component managed by the single operating system instance. Upon invoking the switch-to service by standard code, the switch-to service checks to see if an assist logical processor is online and, if so, it updates an integrated assist field of a work element block associated with the task for indicating the task is eligible to be executed on the assist logical processor. The switch-to service also assigns a work queue to the work element block.