Virtual Machine Turntable Control for Optical Network Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtual machine (VM) migration technologies are limited to execution within local data centers and do not support seamless, live migration across optical networks, leading to downtime and security risks during the transfer process.
Innovation Solution
The method involves dynamically establishing a lightpath over an optical network between source and destination sites to transfer a virtual machine while maintaining continuous operation, using a Virtual Machine Turntable Control (VMTC) agent to coordinate resource allocation and secure the transfer, ensuring negligible downtime and transparent operation to clients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional VM migration methods are used within local data centers, then VM migration is achievable with existing infrastructure, but seamless live migration across optical networks is not supported resulting in downtime and security risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a lightpath through the optical network before the actual VM migration begins. This preliminary network path setup allows the VM to be transferred seamlessly once ready, eliminating downtime during the transfer process. The lightpath reservation ensures network resources are prepared in advance for the migration operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lightpath as an intermediary transmission medium between source and destination data centers. This optical network path acts as a dedicated channel that enables secure and seamless VM transfer, mediating the migration process to avoid direct exposure risks and eliminate downtime associated with traditional migration methods.
2Adaptability or versatility
If VM transfer is performed across optical networks, then long-haul migration is enabled, but security risks and resource theft vulnerabilities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lightpath serves as a secure intermediary channel for VM transmission across the optical network. By establishing this dedicated optical path, the system enables long-haul migration while protecting the VM data during transfer, as the lightpath provides an isolated and secure communication medium that reduces vulnerability to interception or resource theft.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transfers a copy of the VM across the optical network rather than moving the original directly through vulnerable channels. This copying approach, combined with the lightpath establishment, allows the VM to be replicated and transferred securely, enabling long-distance migration while maintaining security through controlled duplication and transmission.
3Reliability
If dynamic lightpath establishment is implemented, then seamless migration is achieved, but network complexity and resource allocation overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lightpath control mechanism as an intermediary that manages the complex tasks of dynamic lightpath establishment and coordination. This separate control layer handles the network complexity independently, allowing the core migration function to maintain continuous operation while the intermediary manages the overhead of lightpath setup, routing, and resource allocation.
Data Source
AI summary
Described are a network and method for performing live migration of a virtual machine (VM) executing at a source site to at least one destination site over an optical network. An application program executes on the VM on behalf of a client system. In the event of a VM migration, a virtual machine turntable control agent coordinates the resource allocation with the VM data transfer. One or more lightpaths are dynamically and securely established through the optical network between the source site and the destination site(s). The VM migration from the source site to multiple destination sites occurs simultaneously, while the application program executes on the VM. After the VM migration, the application resumes at the destination site(s).