Virtualization Support in Platform Management Information Model
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Platform Management (PLM) specification does not adequately address how to represent platform entities in a virtual machine system, particularly in handling VM migration and alternative operating systems, leading to issues with object name changes and disruptive configuration requirements during runtime.
Innovation Solution
An information model with virtualization support is implemented, using classes like PlmVMM, PlmVM, and PlmOS, where VM objects maintain a consistent name during migration, and runtime attributes track current hosting VMMs, enabling system administration to manage dependencies and vulnerabilities across hardware elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If VM objects are made children of VMM objects in the information model, then the hierarchical structure is simplified, but object names change during migration causing disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information model into two independent parts: a stable tree structure for object identity (where VM objects remain children of domain objects) and a separate runtime association mechanism for tracking current VMM assignments. This allows the object names to remain consistent during migration while still maintaining the ability to track which VMM currently manages which VM.
2Ease of operation
If VM objects change parent to reflect migration, then current management relationship is updated, but object name changes disrupt configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces runtime associations as an intermediary mechanism between the stable object hierarchy and the dynamic management relationships. Instead of changing object names or hierarchical positions to reflect migration, the system uses runtime associations to track which VMM currently manages which VM, keeping the object identities stable while maintaining operational awareness of current state.
3Adaptability or versatility
If alternative operating systems are added to the information model, then system flexibility is improved, but model complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by only adding alternative operating systems as optional configurations at specific points in the hierarchy (at VMM or domain level) rather than fundamentally redesigning the entire information model. The core tree structure remains unchanged, and alternative OSes are integrated as optional attributes that can be configured where needed without affecting the overall model simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for protecting against failure of hardware elements (HEs) in a virtual machine system using an information model with virtualization support. Based on the information model, the method boots virtual machine monitors (VMMs), virtual machines (VMs) and operating systems (OSes). The information model includes a graph of objects representing configured relationships between the hardware elements (HEs), VMMs, VMs, and OSes through parent child relationships between the graph's objects. The graph of objects includes: a domain object, HE objects, VMM objects, VM objects, and OS objects. The VM objects of a migration-enabled type represent those of the VMs that may migrate between the VMMs. Based on the runtime associations between the VMM objects and the VM objects of the migration-enabled type, the method identifies which of the migration-enabled VMs are hosted by a same HE and are therefore vulnerable to hardware failure of the same HE.