Dynamic Memory Affinity Management for Logical Partitions

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Solution Overview

Problem

In computer systems with multiple nodes and logical partitions, dynamic resource reallocation can negatively impact memory affinity, leading to performance degradation as logical partitions may not maintain optimal memory access speeds due to uneven distribution of resources.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic partition manager computes current and potential memory affinity based on a hardware domain hierarchy, allowing for resource reallocation between nodes to improve memory affinity, ensuring each processor has corresponding memory, thereby maintaining optimal performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic resource reallocation is performed, then resource utilization and adaptability improve, but memory affinity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic resource allocationVSAvoidmemory affinity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic monitoring and adjustment of memory affinity metrics. The partition manager continuously evaluates memory affinity levels and automatically triggers reallocation actions when thresholds are breached, transforming static resource allocation into a dynamic adaptive system that maintains optimal performance characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms by monitoring memory affinity metrics and using this information to guide reallocation decisions. The partition manager receives feedback about current affinity levels and adjusts resource distribution accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains memory affinity within acceptable ranges while allowing dynamic resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If resources are dynamically reallocated, then system flexibility improves, but memory access performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource flexibilityVSAvoidmemory access speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by proactively monitoring memory affinity trends and initiating reallocation operations before performance degradation becomes severe. The partition manager anticipates potential affinity deterioration and takes preventive reallocation actions to maintain optimal memory access speeds while preserving resource flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters by adjusting memory affinity thresholds and reallocation triggers based on system conditions. The partition manager dynamically modifies monitoring parameters and reallocation criteria to balance resource flexibility with memory access performance, adapting the system's behavior to current operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If memory affinity is strictly maintained, then access speed improves, but resource utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory access speedVSAvoidresource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by maintaining memory affinity only when it provides measurable performance benefit. The partition manager selectively enforces affinity constraints based on current system conditions and workload characteristics, allowing resource utilization to take precedence when strict affinity maintenance would unnecessarily limit productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static to dynamic memory affinity management. The partition manager continuously adjusts affinity requirements based on real-time performance monitoring and system state, allowing memory access speed optimization only when conditions warrant it, thereby preventing unnecessary constraints on resource utilization and maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9009421B2Dynamically improving memory affinity of logical partitions

Publication Date: 2015.04.14 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

In a computer system that includes multiple nodes and multiple logical partitions, a dynamic partition manager computes current memory affinity and potential memory affinity to help determine whether a reallocation of resources between nodes may improve memory affinity for a logical partition or for the computer system. If so, the reallocation of resources is performed so memory affinity for the logical partition or computer system is improved. Memory affinity is computed relative to the physical layout of the resources according to a hardware domain hierarchy that includes a plurality of primary domains and a plurality of secondary domains.