Virtual Machine Power Conservation Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtualized environments, placement and relocation decisions for virtual machines do not consider the cost of power consumption, leading to inefficiencies in energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A virtualized environment power conservation module that determines the power consumption of virtual machines and assigns them to physical hosts based on real-time power data, using server power profiles and PMBus-enabled power supplies to minimize net power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If virtual machine placement decisions are made based on CPU/Memory consumption and live migration requirements, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but power consumption is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the placement decision parameters by adding power consumption as a new criterion. The system changes from considering only CPU/Memory consumption and live migration requirements to also evaluating power consumption data from power profiles, thereby optimizing energy usage while maintaining resource allocation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by using real-time power consumption data and power profiles to continuously monitor and adjust virtual machine placement decisions. This feedback loop enables the system to learn from actual power usage patterns and make more energy-efficient placement decisions
2Productivity
If more virtual machines are assigned to physical hosts to maximize resource utilization, then productivity is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces power consumption as a new parameter in the placement optimization function. By changing the optimization criteria to include both resource utilization and power consumption, the system achieves a balance between maximizing productivity and minimizing energy loss
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by selectively assigning virtual machines to physical hosts based on power consumption thresholds. Rather than maximizing resource utilization without regard for power consumption, the system applies a balanced approach that considers both factors, avoiding excessive action that would waste energy
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for enabling power conservation when making placement and relocation decisions. More specifically, a virtualized environment power conservation module enables power conservation when making placement and relocation decisions within a virtual environment. The virtualized environment power conservation module assigns virtual machines among a group of physical hosts in order to minimize the net power consumption. The virtualized environment power conservation module makes use of server power profile or real time power consumption data to make power consumption aware Virtual Machine assignment decisions. In certain embodiments, a server system exposes real power consumption (e.g. System Watts, Cumulative kWh. etc.) via system management interfaces. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the server systems may expose real power consumption via standard power profiles. These systems leverage PMBus-enabled power supplies to read the power metric information.