VM Location Management via GPS Aggregation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems lack an automated mechanism to determine the physical location of virtual machines (VMs) within datacenters and to relocate them effectively in anticipation of adverse events, such as maintenance or disasters, leading to difficulties in load-balancing and resource management.

Innovation Solution

A cloud management device aggregates location information from hosts in a virtualized datacenter using positioning systems like GPS and compares it with event data to proactively migrate VMs to unaffected hosts, anticipating potential adverse events and optimizing resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual identification of target hosts is used, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to lack of automated location determination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by having VMs automatically determine their own physical locations through positioning systems (GPS, RFID, LORAN) without requiring manual administrator intervention. The location information is automatically aggregated and used for migration decisions, eliminating the need for manual host identification while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical processes with automated electronic systems. Instead of administrators manually identifying target hosts, the system uses electronic positioning systems and automated algorithms to determine VM locations and select migration targets, thereby improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If positioning systems are added to track VM locations, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning systems (GPS, RFID, LORAN) serve multiple functions: they track VM locations for migration purposes, provide location data for load-balancing decisions, and enable proactive relocation during maintenance windows. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from the same infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary location tracking and aggregation before migration events occur. By continuously monitoring VM locations through positioning systems and pre-aggregating this data, the system prepares migration decisions in advance, reducing the complexity of real-time decision-making during actual migration operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If automated VM relocation is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional monitoring and migration mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring VM locations, aggregating position data, and pre-identifying suitable target hosts before actual migration occurs. This proactive approach allows the system to prepare migration plans in advance, reducing the complexity of executing migrations during critical time windows and improving overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops where location information is continuously collected, analyzed, and used to adjust migration decisions. The aggregated location data provides feedback that enables dynamic relocation strategies, allowing the system to respond to changing conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through automated decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Measurement precision

If location information is aggregated from multiple hosts, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of information increases due to data aggregation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidloss of information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges location information from multiple hosts into a unified view of VM positions. By aggregating data from GPS, RFID, or LORAN sources across the datacenter infrastructure, the system creates a comprehensive location database that improves measurement precision while managing information through structured consolidation rather than loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10452418B2Location based management of virtual machines in datacenters

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 VMWARE INC

AI summary

Embodiments manage physical locations of virtual machines (VMs) in a datacenter. A computing device, such as a cloud management device, aggregates location information for the VMs executing on hosts. The computing device compares the aggregated location information with event data to identify VMs potentially affected by adverse events (e.g., severe weather, scheduled maintenance, natural disasters, etc.). The computing device initiates migration of the affected VMs from their hosts to unaffected hosts. In some embodiments, the location information includes global positioning system (GPS) coordinates obtained by the hosts and shared with the computing device.