Cluster Virtual Machine State Management for High Availability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clustering software requires all virtual machines in a cluster to be in a running state to facilitate high availability, leading to wastage of valuable computer resources as it cannot migrate applications to powered-off virtual machines.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that access configuration information to identify active and passive nodes within a cluster, configuring passive nodes to be in a suspended state while active nodes are suspended upon application migration, allowing for efficient resource utilization and high availability by maintaining passive nodes as potential failover targets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all virtual machines are kept in a running state to enable application migration and high availability, then application availability is improved, but resource utilization deteriorates due to wastage of valuable computer resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic state management for virtual machines, allowing them to transition between running and suspended states based on their role (active or passive). Passive nodes can be suspended to save resources while remaining available for failover, resolving the contradiction between maintaining availability and reducing resource waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter (state) of virtual machines from always-running to conditionally-suspended. By modifying the state parameter based on whether a node is active or passive, the system achieves both high availability and efficient resource utilization.
2Loss of energy
If passive nodes are kept in a suspended state to optimize resource utilization, then resource wastage is reduced, but the ability to detect and migrate to passive nodes during failover may be impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the active node communicates its state and the passive nodes' states to the clustering software. This feedback system ensures that even suspended passive nodes are properly tracked and can be detected and activated when needed for failover.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration of passive nodes in a suspended state while maintaining their failover capability. The nodes are pre-prepared and registered in the cluster configuration, so when failover is needed, the system can quickly activate them without detection delays.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for optimizing resource utilization within a cluster and facilitating high availability for an application is described. In one embodiment, the method for optimizing resource utilization within a cluster and facilitating high availability for an application includes accessing configuration information regarding virtual machine nodes within the cluster to identify an active node and at least one passive node that are associated with the application and configuring the at least one passive node to be in a suspended state, wherein a passive node of the at least one passive node is to be in a running state and the active node is to be in a suspended state upon migration of the application to the passive node of the at least one passive node.