Dynamic Fault Resistant Memory Allocation via OS-BIOS Interaction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Fault Resilient Memory (FRM) systems statically allocate a significant portion of system memory for redundancy, leading to waste when the reserved memory is not fully utilized, affecting performance and efficiency of virtual machines.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a dynamic memory allocation system that calculates and adjusts the size of the protected reliable memory region based on current memory requirements, allowing for real-time adjustments through the operating system and system BIOS using ACPI methods, ensuring only the necessary memory is reserved for fault tolerance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If static memory allocation is used for FRM, then fault tolerance is ensured, but memory waste occurs when reserved memory is not fully utilized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault toleranceVSAvoidmemory waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic memory allocation for FRM by allowing the operating system to calculate actual memory requirements and adjust the protected reliable memory region size in real-time based on current workload demands, transforming the static allocation model into a dynamic one that adapts to changing system conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of memory allocation from a fixed static value to a dynamic value that is continuously adjusted based on calculated requirements. The OS determines the actual memory needed for fault tolerance and communicates this to the BIOS, which then reconfigures the FRM region size accordingly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If static memory allocation is used for FRM, then fault tolerance is ensured, but virtual machine performance deteriorates when non-FRM memory is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault toleranceVSAvoidvirtual machine performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic adjustment of FRM allocation to balance reliability and productivity. By continuously calculating actual memory requirements and adjusting the protected region size, the system ensures sufficient memory is available for virtual machines while maintaining appropriate fault tolerance coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the FRM memory allocation parameter based on calculated requirements, allowing optimization of both fault tolerance and virtual machine performance by adjusting the ratio of protected to unprotected memory according to actual system needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If dynamic memory allocation is implemented, then memory efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to real-time calculations and BIOS interactions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The operating system performs self-service by autonomously calculating its own memory requirements and managing the FRM allocation. The OS determines how much memory it needs for fault tolerance and independently communicates this to the BIOS for configuration, reducing the need for external management complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Loss of energy

If dynamic memory allocation is implemented, then memory usage is optimized, but ease of operation decreases due to real-time adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory usage optimizationVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system operates autonomously with the OS automatically calculating memory requirements and managing FRM allocation without requiring manual intervention. This self-service approach optimizes memory usage while maintaining ease of operation by eliminating the need for user configuration or monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9471231B2Systems and methods for dynamic memory allocation of fault resistant memory (FRM)

Publication Date: 2016.10.18 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided that may be employed to dynamically and intelligently allocate fault resistant memory (FRM) by calculating the currently required size of a protected reliable memory region for the FRM on an as-needed basis, rather than on a static basis. In one example, an operating system, or hypervisor or other virtualization layer may be employed to calculate the required size for the protected reliable memory region of the FRM based on current memory requirements of the virtualization layer kernel and running instances of other critical processes, and then to interact in real time with the system BIOS to cause an adjustment in the reserved protected reliable memory region.