VM Migration via Fabric Capability Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deploying virtual machines and attaching storage volumes to them often result in errors due to the failure to consider the capabilities of available fabrics connected to host computers.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines the feasibility of attaching a storage volume to a virtual machine by assessing the properties of fabrics and ports, allowing migration of the virtual machine to a host with suitable connectivity if necessary, and using appropriate storage connectivity protocols like NPIV or vSCSI for successful attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If virtual machine deployment and storage attachment are performed without considering fabric capabilities, then the deployment process is simple and fast, but errors occur in deploying the virtual machine or attaching the volume
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of fabric capabilities and port properties before deploying virtual machines or attaching storage volumes. The manager obtains and stores information about fabric types, port types, and connectivity characteristics in advance, then uses this pre-collected information to determine whether deployment or attachment operations can succeed, avoiding errors and retries
Solution Approach 2:
The manager acts as an intermediary between the deployment/attachment operations and the underlying fabric infrastructure. It mediates by assessing fabric capabilities, determining compatibility, and making informed decisions about whether to proceed with operations, thereby resolving the conflict between simple operations and reliable outcomes
2Reliability
If fabric capabilities are assessed and considered before deployment, then deployment reliability improves, but the deployment process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of fabric capabilities and port properties before deploying virtual machines or attaching storage volumes. The manager obtains and stores information about fabric types, port types, and connectivity characteristics in advance, then uses this pre-collected information to determine whether deployment or attachment operations can succeed, avoiding errors and retries
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the manager continuously monitors and assesses fabric capabilities, port properties, and connectivity status. This feedback information is used to dynamically adjust deployment and attachment decisions, ensuring that operations are only performed when fabric conditions are suitable, thereby improving reliability without requiring overly complex manual assessment processes
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system for deploying a virtual machine or attaching a storage volume to a virtual machine (VM). A process obtains information regarding fabrics attached to hosts and storage devices attached to the fabrics and determines whether a VM can be deployed to a host or whether storage volumes can be attached to a VM. In one case, determining that a fabric attached to a host can support a virtual SCSI volume causes migrating a VM to the host and attaching the virtual SCSI volume to the migrated VM. In another case, determining that the fabric attached to a host can support an NPIV volume causes migrating the VM to the host and attaching the NPIV volume to a virtual channel mapped to the fabric attached to the host. If the VM cannot be migrated, then the user is given an indication that the attachment is not possible.