Hot-Swapping Operating Systems via Inter-Partition Application Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for updating operating systems require hardware rebooting, which can be inconvenient and disruptive, especially for mission-critical applications where interruptions must be minimized or avoided, and may not be feasible in scenarios without a spare computer or when applications are not readily migratable.
Innovation Solution
The method involves 'hot-swapping' an original operating system instance with an updated instance on the same hardware without rebooting, by logically partitioning the computer to run both instances in parallel, using update launch code to configure and migrate applications between partitions, allowing for swift software updates without hardware disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardware rebooting is used to update operating system, then updated OS can be launched, but system downtime increases and continuity is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the hardware system into multiple independent partitions (first partition and second partition) that can execute different operating system instances simultaneously. This segmentation allows the original OS to run on one partition while the updated OS is installed and tested on another partition, eliminating the need to choose between updating reliability and maintaining continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different operating system instances by migrating applications between partitions rather than requiring a static hardware reboot. The dynamic nature of this switching allows seamless transitions where applications can be moved from the original OS partition to the updated OS partition without interrupting overall system operation.
2Loss of time
If application migration between computers is used to avoid rebooting, then continuous operation is maintained, but device complexity increases and spare computer requirement is imposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple computers into a single hardware system by implementing multiple OS instances within one partitioned system. Instead of requiring separate spare computers for migration, the system combines original and updated OS instances in parallel within the same hardware, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining continuous operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the operating system in a separate partition rather than requiring physical migration to another computer. This copying approach allows the updated OS to be prepared in parallel and then switched to without needing external computing resources, simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Ease of manufacture
If hardware rebooting is used for OS update, then updated OS can be deployed, but application availability is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into independent partitions, the patent enables separate deployment of updated OS while maintaining application availability on the original OS partition. Applications can continue running on one partition while the other partition receives the update, ensuring both ease of deployment and continuous availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The partitioning mechanism acts as an intermediary that facilitates smooth transition between OS versions without disrupting application availability. This intermediary structure allows updates to be applied systematically while maintaining a functional backup system, ensuring both deployment ease and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
In a process for hot-swapping operating systems, an original operating system (OS) instance is executing on and controlling hardware of a computer. The original OS instance generates updated launch code that defines a division of the hardware into a source logical partition and a target logical partition. The original OS instance quiesces processes hardware of the target logical partition so that the original OS instance and an application running thereon are contained by the source logical partition. The original OS instance launches the updated OS instance so that it executes on the target logical partition. The application is moved from the source logical partition to the target logical partition. The original OS instance terminates. The updated OS instance claims hardware freed by the termination.