Segmented Virtual Machine Shell Core Redirection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Data centers face high costs and resource inefficiencies due to the need for multiple general-purpose devices to support peak resource needs of numerous applications, especially when using platform-independent execution environments like Java Runtime Environment and .NET Common Language Runtime, where each device can only support a limited number of virtual machines (VMs), leading to costly deployment and administration.

Innovation Solution

The segmentation of VM functionality into a shell VM and a core VM, where the shell VM handles external interactions and the core VM manages internal execution functions, allowing for separate resource allocation and efficient communication between the two, enabling transparent operation and reducing the resource burden on the shell VM for external communications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a large number of general purpose devices are deployed to support peak resource needs of applications, then the system can support more applications, but the deployment and administration costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of applications supportedVSAvoiddeployment and administration costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the virtual machine into two distinct components: a shell VM that handles external environment interactions and a core VM that performs internal execution functions. This segmentation allows the shell VM to be lightweight and shared across multiple core VMs, enabling more applications to be supported on fewer general purpose devices, thereby reducing deployment and administration costs while maintaining the ability to support peak resource needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the shell VM performs all external environment interactions, then the external environment does not need to be aware of VM segmentation, but the shell VM host capabilities limit scaling performance

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveVM segmentation transparencyVSAvoidscaling performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides external interaction responsibilities between the shell VM and core VM. The shell VM maintains transparency for external environments by providing a complete VM appearance, while the core VM handles internal execution functions. This segmentation allows the core VM to perform computations and data processing independently, reducing the burden on the shell VM host and enabling better scaling performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shell VM acts as an intermediary between the external environment and the core VM. It translates external interactions into appropriate actions for the core VM while maintaining the appearance of a complete VM to external systems. This intermediary role allows the core VM to perform intensive computations without directly exposing its capabilities to the external environment, thereby enabling scaling while maintaining transparency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8356297B1External data source redirection in segmented virtual machine

Publication Date: 2013.01.15 AZUL SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

Interacting with an external environment of a segmented virtual machine is disclosed. An indication that a communication with an external environment is desired is received. It is determined whether the communication can be initiated directly from a core virtual machine of the segmented virtual machine without initiating the communication from a shell virtual machine of the segmented virtual machine. An attempt to initiate the communication is made based as at least in part on the determination.