Dynamic Virtual Machine Placement via Host Identifiers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cloud computing environments face inefficiencies in placing virtual machines on physical hosts, as existing tools rely on static placement policies and lack dynamic adjustment to meet changing workload needs and resource availability.

Innovation Solution

A host identifiers mechanism that allows system administrators to select preferred host identifiers for virtual machines or groups, incorporating factors like host names, network connections, affinity, and time components, which is integrated with an optimizer to periodically adjust VM placement and optimize resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If static placement policies are used for virtual machine deployment, then system administrator control is simplified, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates due to inability to adapt to changing workload needs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplacement policy controlVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms static placement policies into dynamic ones by introducing preferred host identifiers that can change over time. The system periodically reevaluates and updates the preferred host list based on current system state, workload characteristics, and resource availability, allowing the placement policy to adapt dynamically without requiring complex administrator intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of host preference by incorporating time components and evolving criteria into the preferred host identifiers. Instead of fixed host assignments, the system uses parameters that evolve based on workload patterns, resource consumption, and system performance metrics, enabling adaptive resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If dynamic adjustment of VM placement is implemented to meet changing workload needs, then resource utilization efficiency improves, but system complexity increases due to multiple evaluation criteria and periodic optimization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidplacement optimization system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by automatically evaluating preferred host identifiers and performing VM migrations without requiring continuous administrator intervention. The optimizer periodically assesses the current system state, compares it against preferred host criteria, and executes placement adjustments autonomously, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing preferred host identifiers and criteria before actual VM placement or migration decisions are made. This advance preparation of evaluation frameworks and preference lists streamlines the optimization process, reducing the computational burden during actual placement events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If preferred host identifiers include multiple factors such as host names, connections, and affinity, then placement accuracy improves, but computation time increases during evaluation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplacement accuracyVSAvoidevaluation computation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by evaluating and updating only the most critical preferred host identifiers based on current system needs rather than reevaluating all criteria comprehensively. This selective approach maintains placement accuracy for key factors while reducing overall computation time by focusing on the most impactful parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Reliability

If periodic optimization is performed to adjust VM placement, then workload management quality improves, but system downtime or migration overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkload management qualityVSAvoidmigration overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic optimization by scheduling VM placement evaluations and migrations at intervals rather than continuously. This periodic action allows the system to maintain high workload management quality while minimizing migration overhead by performing adjustments only when necessary, based on changes in preferred host identifiers or system state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS9733970B2Placement of virtual machines on preferred physical hosts

Publication Date: 2017.08.15 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Placement of virtual machines on physical hosts is based on a preferred host list that may be generated from preferred host identifiers to more efficiently utilize system resources and serve the needs of different workloads. A host identifiers mechanism allows a system administrator to select preferred host identifiers for each virtual machine or a group of virtual machines. The host identifiers mechanism in conjunction with an optimizer periodically adjusts the placement of virtual machines according to the preferred host identifiers and consistent with optimization policies. Further, the preferred host identifiers may include a time component so that the preferred host resources can be periodically updated and can dynamically change over time.