Virtual Machine Storage Auto-Adjustment via Hypervisor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centralized hosting of virtual machines requires large storage allocation, leading to manual intervention and potential issues like guest file system confusion and high CPU usage when storage is depleted, which is time-consuming and costly in terms of overhead.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism for automatic adjustment of virtual machine storage, where a host computing device detects a write error due to lack of storage, sends an out-of-storage notification to a host management agent, and increases storage allocation without manual user intervention by communicating with a host controller and storage manager.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual intervention is used to adjust storage allocation when VM runs out of space, then storage can be reallocated, but it causes high CPU usage, guest fs confusion, and time-consuming overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic self-adjustment of storage allocation by implementing a feedback mechanism where the hypervisor monitors VM storage status and autonomously triggers storage manager to allocate additional space when write errors occur, eliminating the need for manual intervention and preventing VM crashes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback loop where the hypervisor detects write errors caused by storage exhaustion, sends notifications to the storage manager, and automatically adjusts storage allocation based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop system that maintains reliable operation without manual intervention
2Reliability
If large storage allocation is provided to all VMs in centralized hosting, then storage issues are prevented, but disk space is wasted on VMs that do not require it
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static pre-allocated storage to dynamic on-demand storage allocation. The hypervisor monitors actual storage consumption in real-time and triggers automatic expansion only when needed, allowing storage allocation to adapt dynamically to actual VM requirements rather than using fixed large allocations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the storage allocation parameter from a fixed large value to a dynamic value that adjusts based on actual usage. The storage manager modifies the allocated storage parameter automatically when write errors are detected, optimizing the balance between storage availability and space utilization
3Loss of substance
If sparse storage allocation is used with on-the-fly allocation, then disk space is conserved, but manual intervention is required when VM exhausts allocated space
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic self-service by having the hypervisor monitor storage status and autonomously trigger storage allocation expansion when write errors occur, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining space-efficient sparse allocation
Solution Approach 2:
The hypervisor acts as an intermediary between the VM and the storage manager, detecting write errors and automatically coordinating storage expansion without requiring manual user intervention, thus maintaining ease of operation while preserving disk space efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism for automatic adjustment of virtual machine (VM) storage is disclosed. A method of embodiments of the invention includes stopping, by a host computing device, a virtual machine (VM) hosted by the host computing device from running upon detecting a write error due to lack of storage on the VM, communicating, by the host computing device, an out-of-storage notification from a hypervisor of the host computing device to a host management agent, and sending, by the host computing device, data associated with the out-of storage notification and the VM to a host controller that manages the host computing device, wherein the host controller causes storage for the VM to be increased.