Virtual Machine Migration via Memory Fabric
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual machine migration techniques are disruptive and resource-intensive, requiring multiple freezes and snapshots, which can impact performance and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes a memory fabric to move virtual machine data while the machine is operational, allowing for seamless migration by disassociating and reassociating memory fabric areas between host servers, reducing the need for multiple freezes and snapshots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional virtual machine migration techniques are used (freezing, snapshotting, copying), then the virtual machine can be migrated between hosts, but the process is disruptive and resource-intensive with multiple freezes and snapshots impacting performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing a memory fabric connection and beginning data transfer before the virtual machine migration is critically needed. The memory fabric is pre-configured to allow direct access to virtual machine memory data, enabling the migration process to start earlier and reduce the need for disruptive freezes and snapshots during the actual migration window.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a memory fabric as an intermediary component between the source and target hosts. This memory fabric acts as a mediator that directly accesses and transfers virtual machine memory data without requiring the virtual machine to be frozen or snapshot repeatedly. The memory fabric intermediary enables continuous data access during migration, maintaining virtual machine performance while completing the migration.
2Reliability
If traditional virtual machine migration techniques are used, then migration can be achieved, but multiple freezes and snapshots increase downtime and resource usage
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by using the memory fabric to continuously access and transfer virtual machine memory data during migration. Instead of repeatedly freezing and resuming the virtual machine, the memory fabric enables continuous data access and transfer, significantly reducing the total downtime required for migration while ensuring reliable completion of the migration process.
3Reliability
If traditional virtual machine migration techniques are used, then the virtual machine can be relocated, but the copy-intensive process consumes significant resources
Solution Approach 1:
The memory fabric serves as an energy-efficient intermediary that directly accesses virtual machine memory data using standardized memory access operations. This approach consumes fewer resources compared to traditional copy-intensive methods because the memory fabric can access data in place and transfer it efficiently without requiring multiple snapshot creations, storages, and restorations, thereby reducing overall energy consumption during migration.
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual machine migration system that includes an initiator host that provides a virtual machine and receives an instruction to migrate the virtual machine to the target host. The initiator host moves, while the virtual machine is operating on the initiator host, virtual machine data for the virtual machine from a local memory area in a local memory system to a memory fabric memory area in a memory fabric memory system. A first portion of the virtual machine data in the local memory area and a second portion of the virtual machine data in the memory fabric memory area are accessible to the virtual machine and the initiator host during the movement of the virtual machine data. The initiator host stops, in response to all the virtual machine data being moved to the memory fabric memory area, operation of the virtual machine on the initiator host.