Virtualization Object File Copying via Parallel Page Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for live migration of software virtualization object files in cloud computing face challenges such as high network bandwidth utilization, performance degradation, and incomplete file transfer due to large VM file sizes and the need for synchronization of state changes during migration, which can lead to service disruptions and increased maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for copying software virtualization object files by identifying and utilizing identical file pages from multiple source virtualization object files, selecting a preferred source processing unit based on resource load metrics, and reconstructing the object at the destination processing unit, thereby reducing network bandwidth usage and migration time while maintaining service stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the software virtualization object file is copied from the source processing unit to the destination processing unit using traditional methods, then the file transfer can be completed, but the network bandwidth utilization becomes excessively high and migration time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefile transfer completenessVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The software virtualization object file is divided into multiple file pages, which are then copied in parallel from multiple source processing units to the destination processing unit. This segmentation enables distributed file transfer, reducing the network bandwidth burden on any single source-destination pair while maintaining complete file transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple source processing units are combined to collectively transfer the software virtualization object file to a single destination processing unit. By merging the transfer capabilities of multiple sources, the system achieves efficient parallel file page copying, reducing overall migration time and network bandwidth utilization per connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the software virtualization object file is copied during live migration, then service continuity can be maintained, but performance degradation occurs due to high network bandwidth utilization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidsystem performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The file copying process is segmented into multiple parallel operations across different source processing units, distributing the network bandwidth demand. This allows live migration to proceed with maintained service continuity while preventing performance degradation through load distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects multiple source processing units based on current resource load metrics, adapting the file transfer sources to current system conditions. This dynamic selection ensures that file copying proceeds efficiently without overburdening any single source, maintaining both service continuity and system performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the entire software virtualization object file is transferred before migration, then data consistency is ensured, but service disruption time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata consistencyVSAvoidservice disruption time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The file transfer is divided into multiple independent file page transfers that can proceed in parallel. This segmentation allows the destination processing unit to begin reconstructing the software virtualization object as file pages arrive, rather than waiting for complete file transfer, thereby reducing service disruption time while maintaining data consistency through coordinated synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The destination processing unit begins preliminary reconstruction of the software virtualization object using file pages received during the transfer process. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare for migration completion in advance, reducing the overall service disruption time while data consistency is maintained through synchronization mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If a single source processing unit is used for file copying, then the transfer process is simple, but the migration time is excessive and network bandwidth is overutilized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer process complexityVSAvoidmigration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer process is segmented into multiple parallel file page copying operations from multiple source processing units. While this increases complexity compared to a single-source approach, the segmentation enables significant reductions in migration time and network bandwidth utilization, with the management processing unit coordinating the distributed transfer efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The management processing unit acts as an intermediary that coordinates the file copying process between multiple source processing units and the destination processing unit. This intermediary manages the complexity of multi-source coordination, handling source selection, file page tracking, and synchronization, thereby enabling efficient parallel transfer without requiring complex peer-to-peer coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3669265B1Copying a software virtualization object file
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3669265B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3669265B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3669265B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system for copying a software virtualization object file comprises a management processing unit adapted to: identifying a plurality of source software virtualization object files, each having at least some file pages each identical to one of a plurality of file pages of a software virtualization object file; sending a destination processing unit the plurality of file pages by in each of a plurality of transfer iterations: selecting a file page of the software virtualization object file; identifying in the plurality of source software virtualization object files one or more possible page source files, each comprising the file page; and instructing a source processing unit to send the file page to the destination processing unit; and instructing the destination processing unit to reconstruct the software virtualization object using the plurality of file pages.