Logical Partition Migration via Parallel State Records
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current logical partition migration processes in computing systems are inefficient, causing significant downtime and user interruption, especially in high availability and high performance systems, as they typically suspend user access and migrate data sequentially rather than concurrently.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves transforming data from a source logical partition into partition state records, which are then transmitted and processed by a target migration services partition, allowing for concurrent migration and minimal disruption by utilizing multiple logical processors for parallel processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If partition migration is performed using traditional sequential methods, then data integrity is ensured, but user access interruption time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the partition migration process into distinct phases: configuration data migration, memory data migration, and execution state data migration. Each phase handles specific data types independently, allowing parallel processing of multiple partitions while maintaining data integrity through controlled suspension points and state validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by migrating configuration data and memory data before suspending the source partition. This preliminary migration establishes the target partition's data structure and content in advance, so that when execution state data is transferred after suspension, the target is ready to resume operations with minimal interruption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If multiple logical partitions are migrated sequentially, then system resources are conserved, but total migration time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple partition migration operations into concurrent processes by introducing migration services partitions that can handle multiple source partitions simultaneously. The system combines resource management functions into a centralized partition manager that coordinates concurrent migrations, allowing multiple partitions to be migrated in parallel while maintaining efficient resource utilization through shared infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to resource management by implementing staged data migration (configuration, memory, execution state) that allows overlapping of migration phases across multiple partitions. This dimensional transformation enables the system to conserve resources through shared infrastructure while reducing total migration time through parallel execution of different migration stages.
3Reliability
If partition migration suspends user access completely, then data consistency is maintained, but user experience degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary migration of configuration and memory data while the source partition remains active and user access is maintained. This preliminary action establishes the target partition's data foundation without interrupting users, and only suspends access briefly when transferring the final execution state data to ensure consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by allowing the source partition to continue serving users during the preliminary migration phases. The system keeps the source partition operational and accessible throughout the configuration and memory data migration, ensuring uninterrupted user experience while data is being prepared and transferred to the target partition.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and program product manage data during a logical partition migration. Data from a source logical partition is transformed into partition state records by a source migration services partition. The records are transmitted to a target migration services partition that processes the records and loads the data into a target logical partition. The logical partition migration may take place from a first computer to a second computer, or solely in a first computer. The migration services partitions may be configured with multiple virtual processors to create and send, or receive and process, partition state records in parallel.