Virtual Machine Mobility via RDMA to TCP Migration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) connections do not support virtual machine mobility, limiting high-speed and low-latency data transfers between computing devices in cloud computing environments.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a Shared Memory Communications over RDMA (SMC-R) layer that migrates application data from RDMA connections to Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connections, facilitated by physical network adapters, and then to virtual network adapters, enabling the transfer of virtual machines between hosts without disrupting service.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If RDMA connections are used for data transfer, then high-speed and low-latency data transfer is achieved, but virtual machine mobility is not supported

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer speedVSAvoidvirtual machine mobility support

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a virtual network adapter as an intermediary component between the physical network adapter and the virtual machine. This virtual network adapter enables virtual machine mobility by allowing the virtual machine to be detached from its physical network adapter and reattached to a different physical network adapter on another host, while maintaining RDMA connection capabilities throughout the migration process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the network adapter functionality into physical network adapters (hardware components) and virtual network adapters (software abstractions). This segmentation allows the virtual machine to be decoupled from specific physical hardware, enabling mobility while preserving the high-performance RDMA data path through the virtualization layer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If virtual machine migration is implemented, then adaptability and flexibility are improved, but data transfer performance and connectivity may be disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirtual machine mobilityVSAvoiddata transfer connectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes TCP keepalive connections in advance before initiating virtual machine migration. These pre-established keepalive connections ensure that network connectivity is maintained and monitored throughout the migration process, preventing data transfer disruptions and ensuring seamless failover if needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuous data transfer operations during virtual machine migration by preserving the RDMA connection state and using TCP keepalives to ensure uninterrupted connectivity. The virtual network adapter maintains active network sessions throughout the migration, allowing data transfer to continue without interruption or minimal disruption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS11188375B2Virtual machine mobility for virtual machines using remote direct memory access connections

Publication Date: 2021.11.30 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Virtual machine mobility for virtual machine using remote direct memory access (RDMA) connections, including: receiving a virtual machine (VM) mobility request to transfer a virtual machine from a source host to a destination host; migrating application data transfer from an RDMA connection of the virtual machine to a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connection of the virtual machine, wherein the RDMA connection and the TCP connection are facilitated by a physical network adapter; migrating the TCP connection to a virtual network adapter of the virtual machine; and transferring the virtual machine from the source host to the destination host.