Server Power Reduction via Virtual Machine Migration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing CPU performance and dense mounting of high-performance CPUs in servers lead to increased electric power consumption, necessitating a method to reduce power usage without decreasing CPU performance or the number of computers in the system.

Innovation Solution

A server system with virtual machines that can move among servers, utilizing real-time electric power data to optimize server operation by moving virtual machines to minimize the number of active servers and stopping power supply to idle servers, thereby reducing overall power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If CPU performance is enhanced and CPUs are mounted densely in servers, then processing power is improved, but electric power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCPU performanceVSAvoidelectric power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power management by enabling servers to transition between active and sleep states based on real-time workload conditions. Virtual machines are dynamically migrated between servers, allowing the system to adapt power consumption to actual processing needs rather than maintaining fixed high-performance states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by adjusting the number of active servers based on workload demands. When workload decreases, servers are transitioned to sleep mode or shut down, changing the system's power consumption parameter from high to low states while maintaining processing capability when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the number of servers is reduced to lower power consumption, then electric power consumption decreases, but system reliability and processing capacity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric power consumptionVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses virtualization to create virtual copies of computing resources. Multiple virtual machines can be consolidated on fewer physical servers, allowing the system to maintain processing capacity equivalent to more servers while actually using fewer physical units, thus reducing power consumption without sacrificing reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

Each server is designed to handle multiple roles and workloads through virtualization. A single server can host multiple virtual machines that perform different functions, allowing the system to reduce the total number of physical servers needed while maintaining diverse processing capabilities and system reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by moving object

If virtual machines are moved to minimize active servers, then electric power consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric power consumptionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a management server as an intermediary that handles the complexity of virtual machine migration and server coordination. This centralized controller manages the movement of virtual machines between servers, consolidating the complexity in a single component rather than distributing it across multiple servers, thereby reducing overall system complexity while achieving power savings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8225118B2Server system, reducing method of power consumption of server system, and a computer readable medium thereof

Publication Date: 2012.07.17 NEC CORP

AI summary

A server system comprises a plurality of servers, and a management unit. Each of the servers has virtual machines which can move among the servers. The management unit moves all the virtual machines on one server to another server(s) based on information showing an electric power value so as to reduce the number of servers in operation as much as possible. The management unit stops supplying the electric power to the server on which no virtual machine has run as a result of the movement of the virtual machines.