Virtualized Hardware Clocks for Hosted Instance Time Sync
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Solution Overview
Problem
In distributed computing environments, accurately synchronizing time across multiple devices is challenging due to independent notions of time, leading to difficulties in determining the order of conflicting requests and requiring complex and inaccurate synchronization techniques, especially in large-scale cloud computing setups where traditional methods like NTP are insufficient.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dedicated time network within data centers that uses reference timekeeping devices synchronized to GNSS, providing highly accurate time information to host computing devices, which then share this information with machine instances through local interfaces, reducing latency and increasing accuracy to nanosecond levels without the need for per-instance reference timekeeping devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional network time synchronization methods like NTP are used in distributed computing environments, then time information can be exchanged between devices, but the synchronization accuracy is insufficient and cannot achieve microsecond or nanosecond level precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated time network as an intermediary channel specifically for time synchronization, separating it from general data traffic. This dedicated path with controlled signal propagation characteristics enables microsecond-level time synchronization accuracy by eliminating interference from packet switching and network congestion that plagues traditional NTP approaches
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network infrastructure into two distinct parts: a general data network for commodity traffic and a dedicated time network for synchronization signals. This segmentation allows the time network to be optimized specifically for timing precision with deterministic signal delivery, while the data network handles variable traffic patterns without affecting time synchronization accuracy
2Measurement precision
If each hosted machine instance is equipped with its own reference timekeeping device, then each instance can have independent accurate time, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple timekeeping functions into a shared reference timekeeper device that serves all hosted machine instances through the dedicated time network. Instead of each instance having its own reference clock, a single high-precision reference timekeeper provides synchronized time signals to multiple hosts, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining accuracy through the dedicated synchronization channel
Solution Approach 2:
The reference timekeeper device is designed with universal functionality to serve multiple hosted machine instances simultaneously through the dedicated time network. This multi-functional design allows one reference timekeeper to provide accurate time synchronization to numerous instances without requiring per-instance reference clocks, thereby reducing overall system complexity
3Measurement precision
If a dedicated time network with reference timekeepers is implemented, then time synchronization accuracy improves to microsecond or nanosecond levels, but the network infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses signal copying where the reference timekeeper's time signal is distributed to multiple hosts through the dedicated time network. Instead of each host having direct access to or replicating the reference timekeeper hardware, the time signal is copied and transmitted through the dedicated network channel, providing accurate time synchronization with minimal hardware replication
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for highly accurate synchronization of machine instances in a distributed, hosted computing environment to a reference timekeeper. In addition to a general communication network accessible to machine instances, the distributed environment includes a second network dedicated to carrying time information, such as a pulse-per-second (PPS) signal to isolated timing hardware within host computing devices. The isolated timing hardware can use the PPS signal, along with a reference time, to set a hardware clock. The isolated timing hardware can further provide an interface to machine instances that enables the instances to read the time of the hardware clock. This configuration enables many instances can share access to a single reference timekeeper, thus synchronizing those instances to a much higher accuracy than in traditional network-based time protocols.