VM Resource Optimization via Suspension and Seamless Resume
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of virtual machines (VMs) per physical host computer increases, managing resource consumption effectively becomes challenging, especially when some VMs are idle, leading to suboptimal resource utilization and potential downtime during workload consolidation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method to monitor resource consumption of VMs and suspend them when below a threshold, using an appliance virtual machine to queue and route requests, and send broadcast packets to seamlessly resume suspended VMs, thereby optimizing resource allocation and minimizing downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of virtual machines per physical host computer is increased to achieve higher consolidation ratios, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but managing resource consumption effectively becomes challenging and downtime may occur during workload consolidation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (monitoring system and suspension/resumption logic) that mediates between VM resource consumption and host computer capacity. This intermediary automatically suspends idle VMs and resumes them when needed, resolving the complexity of manual resource management while maintaining high consolidation ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts VM states (suspended/resumed) based on real-time resource consumption monitoring. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt to changing workload conditions, optimizing resource utilization without manual intervention and preventing downtime during consolidation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If virtual machines are suspended to free resources on host computers, then resource allocation is optimized, but service continuity may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by suspending VMs before resources are fully depleted, and maintains the capability to quickly resume them. This preliminary suspension prevents resource exhaustion while the quick resumption capability ensures service continuity, resolving the contradiction between resource optimization and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a discard-and-recover mechanism where VMs are temporarily discarded (suspended) to free resources, then recovered (resumed) when needed. This approach optimizes resource allocation while maintaining service continuity through rapid recovery, preventing permanent service disruption.
3Reliability
If idle virtual machines are maintained to ensure service availability, then service continuity is maintained, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameter of VMs from always-active to conditionally-active based on resource consumption thresholds and service requirements. This parameter change allows the system to minimize resource consumption by suspending idle VMs while maintaining service availability through selective resumption, resolving the energy-loss contradiction.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes monitoring a resource consumption of one or more virtual machines on a host computer in a computer network, and suspending the one or more virtual machines based on the resource consumption to free one or more resources on the host computer. The method also includes losslessly handling a request intended for the suspended one or more virtual machines to seamlessly resume the suspended one or more virtual machines. The request includes a network traffic intended for the suspended one or more virtual machines and/or a non-network request.