Running Process Migration with Stateful Network Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distributed computing systems struggle with dynamically changing characteristics over time, leading to suboptimal distribution of workloads across computing nodes, and there is a need for a seamless and efficient method to relocate running processes without significant interruption.
Innovation Solution
A method for live migration of a running process from a current computing node to an alternative computing node using a sandboxed runtime environment with a standardized application binary interface, enabling transfer of stateful network connections and utilizing WebAssembly for efficient and secure execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a process is migrated from one computing node to another, then workload distribution is optimized and system efficiency is improved, but the migration causes interruption to the running process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing the sandboxed runtime environment and application binary interface on the destination computing node before migration. The destination node is prepared with compatible execution environments, and stateful network connections are pre-configured, allowing the process to be transferred and resumed with minimal interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a sandboxed runtime environment as an intermediary layer between the process and the underlying computing node hardware. This intermediary abstraction layer, combined with the application binary interface, enables seamless migration by decoupling the process from node-specific characteristics, allowing transfer between nodes with different instruction set architectures without causing process interruption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If computing nodes have different instruction set architectures, then system versatility and adaptability are improved, but process migration between nodes becomes complex and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality through the application binary interface and sandboxed runtime environment, which provide a standardized execution layer that works across different computing node architectures. This universal interface layer allows the same process binary to execute on nodes with different instruction set architectures (x86, ARM, RISC-V) without modification, simplifying migration while maintaining architectural diversity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sandboxed runtime environment acts as an intermediary that translates between different hardware architectures and the application binary. This mediator layer handles architecture-specific details, allowing processes to migrate seamlessly between nodes with different instruction sets without increasing migration complexity.
3Productivity
If the scheduler collects extensive observability data for placement decisions, then workload distribution optimization is improved, but system complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the observability data collection and processing functions into dedicated scheduler components. The scheduler collects observability data from computing nodes and uses it to make placement decisions, separating this complex data processing logic from the node execution logic. This extraction allows for optimized workload distribution while managing system complexity through modular architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a computer implemented method of operating a computing environment to perform a live migration of a running process from a current computing node to an alternative computing node. The current computing node is configured for executing an application binary using a sandboxed runtime environment that comprises an application binary interface. The alternative computing node is configured for executing the application binary using the sandboxed runtime environment that comprises the application binary interface. The application binary interface has a node hardware independent instruction set. The method comprises: monitoring the running process on the current computing node to see if it meets a predetermined transfer criterion; adding the running process to a workload queue if the predetermined transfer criterion is detected; and migrating the running process from the current computing node to the alternative computing node. The migration of the running process comprises a transfer of stateful network connections.