Virtual Machine Replication to Offline Hosts via Platform Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cloud computing systems consume significant resources, including power and energy, by keeping multiple host servers powered on to support virtual machine replication and disaster recovery, even when they do not support active workloads.
Innovation Solution
The method involves replicating virtual machine files and configuration data from a primary computing system to a secondary system with offline hosts, using a platform management system to manage and configure virtualization software on these hosts while they are in a low-power state, thereby conserving resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If target host servers are powered on to support virtual machine replication and disaster recovery, then replication and failover capabilities are improved, but power consumption and datacenter resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring and pre-booting target host servers in a standby state before actual failover is needed. Virtual machine files are replicated in advance, and host servers are kept in a low-power state with virtualization software pre-installed, so that when failover is required, the hosts can be quickly brought online without requiring continuous full-power operation. This resolves the contradiction by preparing recovery capabilities ahead of time while minimizing ongoing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling host servers to transition between different power states (powered on, low-power state, and powered off) based on operational needs. The system dynamically adjusts the power state of hosts depending on whether replication is active, failover is imminent, or the system is in normal operation mode. This dynamic power management allows the system to maintain disaster recovery capability while significantly reducing continuous power consumption compared to keeping all hosts permanently powered on.
2Speed
If target host servers are kept powered on continuously, then failover can be executed quickly, but resources including power, energy, and datacenter infrastructure are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-replicating virtual machine files to target hosts and pre-installing virtualization software before failover is needed. Target hosts are maintained in a low-power state with all necessary components pre-configured, so that when failover is required, the system can quickly transition without requiring continuous full-power operation. This prepares the failover pathway in advance while avoiding the energy waste of continuous full-power operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by adjusting the power state parameter of host servers from fully powered on to low-power state based on operational conditions. The system changes power consumption parameters dynamically, maintaining minimal power for essential functions (power management, network connectivity for replication) while eliminating power consumption for non-essential functions (virtual machine execution). This allows fast failover capability to be maintained through pre-configuration rather than continuous full-power operation.
3Productivity
If a large number of host servers are powered on to support replication, then virtual machine replication can be performed, but datacenter resources such as cooling and network infrastructure are consumed unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring target host servers with virtualization software and pre-replicating virtual machine files before actual replication operations are needed. Host servers are maintained in a low-power state with all necessary software and configuration pre-in place, enabling replication capability to be activated quickly when needed without requiring continuous full-power operation of all host servers. This maintains productivity while eliminating unnecessary datacenter resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling flexible power state management of host servers based on actual workload and replication needs. Rather than keeping all hosts permanently powered on, the system dynamically adjusts power states, maintaining minimal power for essential functions while allowing hosts to be powered down or placed in low-power states when not actively supporting replication or failover operations. This dynamic approach maintains replication capability while significantly reducing datacenter resource consumption including cooling and network infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
In an example, a method of replication between computing systems includes replicating virtual machine files from primary storage in a primary computing system to secondary storage in a secondary computing system. The virtual machine files implement a plurality of virtual machines in the primary computing system and a plurality of replica virtual machines in the secondary computing system. The method further includes replicating configuration data, from virtualization software in the primary computing system to secondary virtualization software installed on a host computer in the secondary computing system, through a platform management system in the host computer while the host computer is in a low-power state.