Hypervisor Weight Management for Dynamic VM Resource Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for managing computing resources in virtualized environments are inflexible, as they rely on fixed service level and priority settings that do not adapt to changing business needs or conditions, leading to suboptimal resource allocation among competing virtual machines.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that uses a metric collector and translator to convert service level metrics into hypervisor weights, allowing dynamic allocation of computing resources to virtual machines based on user-defined priorities and time-specific requirements, enabling fine-grained control and adaptation over time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed service level metrics and priority settings are used to manage computing resources, then resource allocation is simple and stable, but the system cannot adapt to changing business needs and conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to changing business needsVSAvoidresource allocation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation by allowing hypervisor weights to change over time based on different time periods and service level metrics. The system transitions from static fixed allocations to dynamic adjustments that automatically respond to changing business conditions, time-of-day requirements, and service priority changes without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of hypervisor weights from fixed values to time-varying values. By associating different hypervisor weights with different time periods and service level metrics, the system enables flexible adaptation to changing requirements while maintaining manageable complexity through parameterization rather than structural changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic hypervisor weights are implemented to adapt to changing needs, then resource allocation flexibility improves, but system complexity and configuration burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidconfiguration management ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by associating different hypervisor weights with different time periods. The system automatically cycles through predefined weight configurations based on time-of-day, day-of-week, or other periodic patterns, eliminating the need for manual reconfiguration while maintaining high flexibility in resource allocation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service operation by automatically adjusting hypervisor weights based on predefined service level metrics and time periods. The hypervisor autonomously selects appropriate weight configurations without requiring manual intervention, reducing operational burden while maintaining adaptability to changing business needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If service level metrics are converted to hypervisor weights dynamically, then resource utilization efficiency improves, but measurement and conversion complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidservice level metric measurement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a metric translator as an intermediary component that automatically converts service level metrics into hypervisor weights. This mediator handles the complexity of measurement and conversion, allowing the rest of the system to operate with simple weight values while maintaining efficient resource utilization through accurate metric-to-weight translation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9886296B2Managing hypervisor weights in a virtual environment

Publication Date: 2018.02.06 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A computer implemented method and system for managing resources available to an application in a shared pool of configurable network computing resources is provided. The method includes receiving, by a metric collector, one or more service level metrics correlated with one or more time intervals. The service level metrics are converted to hypervisor weights and a hypervisor is configured to allocate computing resources to a virtual machine according to the hypervisor weights. In response to translating and implementing the hypervisor weights, a dynamic cost model is created. The cost model is correlated with chosen service level metrics as well as with the duration of time a chosen service level metric is implemented.