Predictive Memory Dump Capture for Pre-Failure Debugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
In complex computer systems, debugging failures is challenging due to the lack of complete memory data at the time of failure, often caused by resource constraints, lack of predictive knowledge, or operational disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented to capture the system's memory state before a failure occurs, using predictive alerts generated by machine learning models, which includes quiescing workloads, disabling paging, and provisioning backup resources to expedite the memory dump process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a memory dump process is initiated to capture complete system data at failure time, then debugging accuracy is improved, but system productivity deteriorates due to workload disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by quiescing workloads and preparing backup resources before the actual memory dump is initiated. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the memory dump occurs, the system is already in an optimal state for data capture, minimizing the impact on productivity while maximizing debugging accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by quiescing (pausing or stabilizing) workloads before the memory dump process. This counteracts the potential disruption to productivity by temporarily halting or stabilizing ongoing operations, allowing the memory dump to proceed without interfering with system functionality
2Speed
If backup resources are provisioned to expedite memory dump process, then memory dump speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces backup resources as intermediary elements that facilitate the memory dump process. These backup resources act as mediators between the primary system memory and the dump destination, enabling faster data transfer and processing while managing the complexity through structured resource allocation
3Measurement precision
If workloads are quiesced to ensure accurate memory capture, then data accuracy is improved, but loss of time increases due to workload pause
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary quiescing of workloads before initiating the memory dump process. This preliminary action ensures that the system state is stabilized and accurate data can be captured, while the duration of quiescing is minimized through efficient resource management and rapid dump processes
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus for predictive dump capture are provided. A prediction indicating that a failure within a computing system will occur at an anticipated time is received. One or more existing processes are assessed over a time window to identify data for preservation, wherein the time window begins at the reception of the prediction and extends to the anticipated time of the failure. Workloads of the computing system are quiesced based on the assessment. A memory dump process is initiated to save data in memory of the computing system. Backup resources are searched to expedite the memory dump process.