Virtualized Network Device Live Migration Forwarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Live migration of virtual machines disrupts network connections and performance due to pausing the virtual machine to copy memory or establish new connections with the target host.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for live migration using a virtualized network device that forwards packets between source and target hosts, determines migration completeness, and enables direct communication once migration is complete, allowing seamless transition with minimal disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the virtual machine is paused to copy memory during migration, then memory migration accuracy is improved, but network connectivity and performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The source host establishes a forwarding rule before pausing the virtual machine, pre-configuring the network path so that packets can be forwarded to the target host without interruption. This preliminary setup ensures network connectivity is maintained throughout the migration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The source host acts as an intermediary by receiving packets from the virtualized network device and forwarding them to the target host. This intermediary forwarding mechanism maintains network connectivity during memory copying, allowing packets to flow through the source host even while the virtual machine is paused.
2Manufacturing precision
If the virtual machine is paused to copy memory, then migration completeness is improved, but migration time and downtime worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The network packet forwarding action continues uninterrupted during memory migration. The source host continuously forwards packets between the virtualized network device and the target host, maintaining useful network action throughout the migration process rather than stopping it during memory copying.
Solution Approach 2:
The forwarding rule is established in advance before the virtual machine is paused, preparing the network path so that migration can proceed with minimal disruption. This preliminary configuration reduces the overall migration time by avoiding network setup delays during the migration window.
3Reliability
If new network connections are established with the target host during migration, then network connectivity is improved, but connection establishment time and performance disruption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The source host pre-establishes the network forwarding path before the virtual machine migration begins. By configuring the forwarding rule in advance, the system avoids the time-consuming process of establishing new network connections during the migration window, thus reducing connection establishment time and performance disruption.
4Reliability
If the source host forwards all packets during migration, then network connectivity is maintained, but device complexity and processing overhead worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The forwarding rule is applied locally and specifically to packets related to the migrating virtual machine on the source host. Rather than implementing a complex global forwarding mechanism, the source host uses a targeted local forwarding rule that only affects traffic for the specific virtual machine being migrated, reducing overall device complexity and processing overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are provided in which a source and target perform bidirectional forwarding of traffic while a migration guest is being transferred from the source to the target. In some examples, the migration guest is exposed to the impending migration and takes an action in response. A virtual network programming controller informs other devices in the network of the change, such that those devices may communicate directly with the migration guest on the target host. According to some examples, an “other” virtual network device in communication with the controller and the target host facilitates the seamless migration. In such examples, the forwarding may be performed only until the other virtual machine receives an incoming packet from the target host, and then the other virtual machine resumes communication with the migration guest on the target host.