Storage Controller Temporary Memory Regions for VM Migration

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Solution Overview

Problem

In computing systems with multiple host devices sharing a data storage device, workload imbalances lead to degraded processing performance due to uneven virtual machine operations and communication delays during virtual machine migration.

Innovation Solution

A data storage device with a controller that sets temporary memory regions for data migration, allocates memory regions dynamically between host devices, and updates ownership information to facilitate efficient virtual machine migration, reducing communication delays and improving processing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If virtual machine migration is performed between host devices sharing a data storage device, then workload balance can be improved, but communication delays occur during data migration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing performanceVSAvoidcommunication delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The controller proactively identifies and prepares temporary memory regions before migration commands are fully executed. By pre-allocating buffer memory regions and preparing data transfer paths in advance, the system reduces the actual migration time and communication delays when migration is triggered.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller acts as an intermediary between the data storage device and multiple host devices, managing temporary buffer memory regions that serve as intermediate storage during VM migration. This intermediary buffer memory decouples the data transfer process, allowing seamless migration without direct communication delays between source and destination hosts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple host devices share a data storage device, then resource utilization can be improved, but workload imbalances occur leading to degraded performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkload distributionVSAvoidprocessing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically allocates and reassigns buffer memory regions to different virtual machines based on real-time workload conditions. The controller can dynamically create, allocate, and release buffer memory regions as VMs are migrated between hosts, enabling flexible workload balancing that adapts to changing system conditions and prevents performance degradation from static resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer memory regions serve multiple functions: they act as temporary storage during VM migration, provide data buffering for I/O operations, and enable seamless handover between host devices. This multi-functional design allows the same memory infrastructure to support both workload balancing and performance maintenance across multiple hosts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250021372A1Controller, data storage device, computing system and host system

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 SK HYNIX INC

AI summary

In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, when a virtual machine is migrated between a plurality of host devices which are allocated with and use memory regions of a data storage device, data related to the virtual machine may be migrated without using a bandwidth between the data storage device and the host devices or by minimizing use of a bandwidth.