On-Demand Swap Space Provisioning for Memory Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited amount of memory resources on platform components becomes insufficient to support the execution of multiple workloads, processes, and tasks, leading to memory insufficiency issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method for provisioning on-demand swap spaces using virtual memory to supplement physical memory, allowing for the storage of inactive memory pages and offloading swap space features like encryption and mirroring to specialized hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If physical memory resources are increased to support multiple workloads, then memory capacity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hierarchical memory architecture that adds a second dimension of storage by integrating swap space functionality into the storage subsystem. Instead of relying solely on physical memory, the system creates virtual memory extensions through swap spaces that can be dynamically allocated from storage resources, effectively transitioning from a single-dimension memory model to a two-dimension memory-storage hybrid model.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces swap spaces as an intermediary layer between physical memory and storage systems. This intermediary virtual memory extension allows the system to manage memory resources more efficiently by offloading inactive data to swap spaces, thereby reducing the demand on physical memory without directly increasing hardware complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If swap space is implemented to extend memory capacity, then memory insufficiency is resolved, but compute resources are overburdened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts swap space management functionality from the compute subsystem and relocates it to a dedicated memory management subsystem. By separating the swap space creation, allocation, and management operations from the main compute resources, the system resolves memory capacity needs without burdening the compute subsystem with additional management overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the memory management subsystem automatically monitors memory usage patterns, identifies candidates for swap space allocation, and dynamically provisions swap spaces without requiring compute resource intervention. The system autonomously manages the entire swap space lifecycle including creation, allocation, and reclamation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If swap spaces are provisioned dynamically, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal swap space provisioning mechanism that serves multiple platform components (CPUs, GPUs, FPGAs, AI accelerators) through a single standardized interface. The memory management subsystem implements multi-functional capabilities to handle diverse memory requirements across different hardware types, thereby improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity through reuse of common management logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for provisioning swap spaces. The method includes: receiving, from a platform orchestrator of a service delivery platform and directed to provisioning a swap space, a swap space instruction specifying a swap space owner and a swap space size; requesting, from the platform orchestrator in response to receiving the swap space instruction and subsequently receiving, a swap space configuration associated with the swap space; based on at least a portion of the swap space configuration: selecting, at least based on the swap space size, at least one physical memory device; creating at least one volume on the at least one physical memory device; creating an emulated memory drive using the at least one volume; and presenting, to the swap space owner, the emulated memory drive as attached swap space representing the swap space.