Hybrid Cloud VM Migration via Mobility Agents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current VM migration in hybrid cloud systems involves significant downtime as customers must create a new VM in the public cloud and transfer data from a powered-off source VM, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The method involves executing migration workflows in both source and destination virtualized computing systems using mobility agents that simulate host environments, allowing for the transfer of VMs between on-premise datacenters and cloud computing systems without requiring modifications to virtualization managers, enabling seamless cross-cloud VM migration with reduced downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a new VM is created in the public cloud and data is transferred from a powered-off source VM, then VM migration between private and public clouds is enabled, but significant downtime occurs during the migration process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by creating a shadow VM in the destination cloud environment before the source VM is powered off. The shadow VM is pre-configured with the same hardware and software specifications, and the migration data transfer is initiated before the source VM shuts down. This allows the migration process to overlap with the source VM's operational period, minimizing downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuity of useful action by allowing the source VM to continue operating while migration preparation and data transfer occur. The migration process is designed to be non-disruptive, with the source VM remaining active until the shadow VM is ready to take over. This continuous operation eliminates the traditional stop-start nature of VM migration.
2Ease of operation
If mobility agents simulate host environments in both source and destination systems, then seamless cross-cloud VM migration is achieved, but system complexity increases due to dual migration workflows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mobility agents as intermediary components that simulate host environments in both source and destination systems. These agents act as mediators between the actual VM and the migration process, handling the complexity of cross-cloud migration protocols, authentication, and data transfer. By offloading complexity to specialized intermediary agents, the overall system maintains ease of operation for end users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a shadow VM that is a copy of the source VM in the destination cloud environment. This shadow copy is prepared in advance with identical configurations, allowing the migration to appear seamless to the end user. The copying process is automated and managed by the mobility agents, hiding the complexity from users while enabling smooth transitions.
3Productivity
If concurrent migration workflows are executed in source and destination virtualized computing systems, then migration efficiency is improved, but coordination and synchronization become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where mobility agents continuously monitor and communicate the status of migration workflows between source and destination systems. The shadow VM's readiness status is fed back to the source system, and completion status is fed back to confirm successful migration. This feedback loop enables automatic coordination without manual intervention, managing complexity through automated state synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by establishing the shadow VM and migration infrastructure in the destination system before the source VM is taken offline. This preliminary setup includes configuring the shadow VM with matching hardware and software specifications, and pre-establishing data transfer channels. By completing these actions in advance, the patent reduces the coordination burden during the actual migration execution.
Data Source
AI summary
An example method of migrating a virtualized computing instance between source and destination virtualized computing systems includes executing a first migration workflow in the source virtualized computing system, where a host computer executing the virtualized computing instance is a source host in the first migration workflow and a first mobility agent simulates a destination host in the first migration workflow. The method further includes executing a second migration workflow in the destination virtualized computing system, where a second mobility agent in the destination virtualized computing system simulates a source host in the second migration workflow and a host computer in the destination virtualized computing system is a destination host in the second migration workflow. The method further includes transferring, during execution of the first and second migration workflows, migration data including the virtualized computing instance between the first mobility agent and the second mobility agent over a network.