APPLICATION MIGRATION AND POWER CONSUMPTION OPTIMIZATION IN PARTITIONED COMPUTER SYSTEM

• US 20100100696A1
• Filed: 12/19/2008
• Published: 04/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: SUZUKI, Tomohiko
• Granted Patent: US 8,051,254 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 711/162
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1662 the resynchronized component or unit being a persistent storage device re-synchronization of failed mirror storage G06F11/2082; rebuild or reconstruction of parity RAID storage G06F11/1008
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2028 eliminating a faulty processor or activating a spare
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0625 Power saving in storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0634 by changing the state or mode of one or more devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0647 Migration mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/067 Distributed or networked storage systems, e.g. storage area networks [SAN], network attached storage [NAS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4856 resumption being on a different machine, e.g. task migration, virtual machine migration G06F9/5088 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5077 Logical partitioning of resources; Management or configuration of virtualized resources specific details on emulation or internal functioning of virtual machines G06F9/455
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A storage device including a logical volume being a migration source of an application copies data stored in the logical volume being a migration source into a logical volume being a migration destination of the application. After such a copy process is started, the storage device stores the data written into the logical volume being a migration source as differential data without storing the data into the logical volume being a migration source. When the copy process is completed for the data stored in the logical volume being a migration source, a management computer starts copying of the differential data, and in a time interval after the copying of the data stored in the logical volume being a migration source is completed but before the copying of the differential data is completed, a computer being a migration destination of the application is turned ON. With such a logically-partitioned computer system, power consumption at the time of application migration can be reduced.

Claims

1. A computer system, comprising:

one or more computers;

one or more storage devices to be connected to the one or more computers over a network; and

a management computer to be connected to the one or more computers and the one or more storage devices, wherein

the one or more computers each include, as hardware resources;

a first interface to be connected to the network;

a first processor to be connected to the first interface;

a first memory to be connected to the first processor; and

a power supply control section that controls power ON and OFF of the hardware resources in accordance with a request coming from the management computer,

the one or more computers each further include a virtualization section that provides a plurality of virtual areas based on the hardware resources thereof,

the plurality of virtual areas include first and second virtual areas,

the first virtual area operates as a virtual computer that runs an application program,

the one or more storage devices each include;

a storage medium that provides a storage area for storage of data written by any of the one or more computers;

a controller that controls data input/output to/from the storage medium; and

a second power supply control section that controls power ON and OFF of each of the one or more storage devices in accordance with a request coming from the management computer,

the controller of each of the one or more storage devices provides, to the one or more computers, the storage area of the one or more storage devices as a plurality of logical volumes,

the plurality of logical volumes include first and second logical volumes,

the first logical volume stores data written by the virtual computer,

the management computer includes;

a second interface to be connected to the one or more computers and the one or more storage devices;

a second processor to be connected to the second interface; and

a second memory to be connected to the second processor,

the management computer

transmits, to any of the one or more storage devices including the first logical volume, a request for copying the data stored in the first logical volume into the second logical volume,

the storage device including the first logical volume

stores, when receiving a request for writing data to the first logical volume from the virtual computer after receiving the request for copying the data stored in the first logical volume into the second logical volume, the data requested for writing as differential data without writing the data into the first logical volume, and

reads the data stored in the first logical volume in accordance with the request for copying the data stored in the first logical volume into the second logical volume, and transmits the data to any of the one or more storage devices including the second logical volume,

the management computer

transmits, when detecting completion of the copying of the data stored in the first logical volume into the second logical volume, a request to the storage device including the first logical volume for copying the differential data in storage into the second logical volume,

transmits, in a time interval after detecting the completion of the copying of the data stored in the first logical volume into the second logical volume but before completion of the copying of the differential data into the second logical volume, a request for turning ON any of the hardware resources of the one or more computers allocated to the second virtual area to the computer including the hardware resources allocated to the second virtual area, and

transmits, after the completion of the copying of the differential data into the second logical volume, a request for migrating the virtual computer to the second virtual area, and

the virtual computer performs, after being migrated to the second virtual area, data input/output to/from the second logical volume.

2. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein

the storage device including the first logical volume transmits, after completion of the reading and the transmitting of the data in accordance with the request for copying the data stored in the first logical volume into the second logical volume, a message of completion to the management computer, and

when receiving the message of completion, the management computer detects the completion of the copying.

3. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein

the management computer calculates a time to be taken for the copying of the data stored in the first logical volume into the second logical volume based on a capacity of the first logical volume, and a data transfer speed from the first to second logical volume, and

with a lapse of the calculated time, the completion of the copying is detected.

4. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein

the network includes a plurality of switch devices for relaying data transfer between the one or more computers and the one or more storage devices,

the plurality of switch devices each include:

a plurality of ports;

a third interface to be connected to the management computer; and

a third power supply control section that controls power ON and OFF of each of the plurality of switch devices in accordance with a request coming from the management computer,

the ports are each connected to any of the one or more computers or any of the one or more storage devices,

the plurality of switch devices include first and second switch devices,

the virtual computer operating on the first virtual area performs data input/output to/from the first logical volume via the first switch device,

the management computer

transmits, in the time interval after detecting the completion of the copying of the data stored in the first logical volume into the second logical volume but before the completion of the copying of the differential data into the second logical volume, a request for turning ON the second switch device, and

transmits, after the completion of the copying of the differential data into the second logical volume, a request for changing a path for the virtual computer to perform the data input/output to/from the second logical volume via the second switch device before transmitting the request for migrating the virtual computer to the second virtual area, and

the virtual computer performs, after being migrated to the second virtual area, the data input/output to/from the second logical volume via the second switch device.

5. A computer system, comprising:

one or more computers;

one or more storage devices to be connected to the one or more computers over a network; and

a management computer to be connected to the one or more computers and the one or more storage devices, wherein

the one or more computers each include, as hardware resources;

a first interface to be connected to the network;

a first processor to be connected to the first interface;

a first memory to be connected to the first processor; and

a power supply control section that controls power ON and OFF of the hardware resources in accordance with a request coming from the management computer,

the one or more computers each further include a virtualization section that provides a plurality of virtual areas based on the hardware resources thereof,

the plurality of virtual areas include first and second virtual areas,

the first virtual area operates as a virtual computer that runs an application program,

the one or more storage devices each include;

a storage medium that provides a storage area for storage of data written by any of the one or more computers;

a controller that controls data input/output to/from the storage medium; and

a second power supply control section that controls power ON and OFF of each of the one or more storage devices in accordance with a request coming from the management computer,

the controller of each of the one or more storage devices provides, to the one or more computers, the storage area of the one or more storage devices as a plurality of logical volumes,

the plurality of logical volumes include first and second logical volumes,

the first logical volume stores data written by the virtual computer,

the management computer includes;

a second interface to be connected to the one or more computers and the one or more storage devices;

a second processor to be connected to the second interface; and

a second memory to be connected to the second processor,

the management computer

transmits, to any of the one or more storage devices including the first logical volume, a request for copying the data stored in the first logical volume into the second logical volume,

the storage device including the first logical volume

stores, when receiving a request for writing data to the first logical volume from the virtual computer after receiving the request for copying the data stored in the first logical volume into the second logical volume, the data requested for writing as differential data without writing the data into the first logical volume, and

reads the data stored in the first logical volume in accordance with the request for copying the data stored in the first logical volume into the second logical volume, and transmits the data to any of the one or more storage devices including the second logical volume,

the management computer

estimates, after completion of the copying of a predetermined proportion of the data stored in the first logical volume into the second logical volume, based on an amount of the differential data at the time of the completion of the copying of the predetermined proportion of the data, an end time of the copying of the differential data into the second logical volume at a time of completion of the copying of the data stored in the first logical volume in its entirety,

calculates a power ON time for the one or more computers to complete an activation process of the one or more computers at the estimated end time of the copying,

transmits, when the power ON time calculated for the one or more computers comes, a request for turning ON any of the hardware resources of the one or more computers allocated to the second virtual area to the computer including the hardware resources allocated to the second virtual area,

transmits, when detecting completion of the copying of the data stored in the first logical volume into the second logical volume, a request to the storage device including the first logical volume for copying the differential data in storage into the second logical volume, and

transmits, after completion of the copying of the differential data into the second logical volume, a request for migrating the virtual computer to the second virtual area, and

the virtual computer performs, after being migrated to the second virtual area, data input/output to/from the second logical volume.

6. The computer system according to claim 5, wherein

the network includes a plurality of switch devices for relaying data transfer between the one or more computers and the one or more storage devices,

the plurality of switch devices each include:

a plurality of ports;

a third interface to be connected to the management computer; and

a third power supply control section that controls power ON and OFF of each of the plurality of switch devices in accordance with a request coming from the management computer,

the ports are each connected to any of the one or more computers or any of the one or more storage devices,

the plurality of switch devices include first and second switch devices,

the virtual computer operating on the first virtual area performs data input/output to/from the first logical volume via the first switch device,

the management computer

calculates a power ON time for the second switch device to complete an activation process of the second switch device at the estimated end time of the copying,

transmits, when the power ON time calculated for the second switch device comes, a request for turning ON the second switch device, and

transmits, after the completion of the copying of the differential data into the second logical volume, a request for changing a path for the virtual computer to perform the data input/output to/from the second logical volume via the second switch device before transmitting the request for migrating the virtual computer to the second virtual area, and

the virtual computer performs, after being migrated to the second virtual area, the data input/output to/from the second logical volume via the second switch device.

7. The computer system according to claim 6, wherein

the management computer

stores, in advance, information about a time needed for the activation process of the one or more computers, and a time needed for the activation process of the second switch device,

estimates, by multiplying the amount of the differential data at the time of the completion of the copying of the predetermined proportion of the data by a reciprocal of the predetermined proportion, the amount of the differential data at the time of the completion of the copying of the data stored in the first logical volume in its entirety,

estimates, based on the estimated amount of the differential data, and a data transfer speed from the storage device including the first logical volume to the storage device including the second logical volume, an end time of the copying of the differential data into the second logical volume at the time of the completion of the copying of the data stored in the first logical volume in its entirety,

calculates a power ON time for the one or more computers by subtracting the time needed for the activation process of the one or the more computers from the estimated end time of the copying, and

calculates a power ON time for the second switch device by subtracting the time needed for the activation process of the second switch device from the estimated end time of the copying.

8. A method for controlling a computer system including:

one or more computers;

one or more storage devices to be connected to the one or more computers over a network; and

a management computer to be connected to the one or more computers and the one or more storage devices, wherein

the one or more computers each include, as hardware resources;

a first interface to be connected to the network;

a first processor to be connected to the first interface;

a first memory to be connected to the first processor; and

a power supply control section that controls power ON and OFF of the hardware resources in accordance with a request coming from the management computer,

the one or more computers each further include a virtualization section that provides a plurality of virtual areas based on the hardware resources thereof,

the plurality of virtual areas include first and second virtual areas,

the first virtual area operates as a virtual computer that runs an application program,

the one or more storage devices each include;

a storage medium that provides a storage area for storage of data written by any of the one or more computers;

a controller that controls data input/output to/from the storage medium; and

a second power supply control section that controls power ON and OFF of each of the one or more storage devices in accordance with a request coming from the management computer,

the controller of each of the one or more storage devices provides, to the one or more computers, the storage area of the one or more storage devices as a plurality of logical volumes,

the plurality of logical volumes include first and second logical volumes,

the first logical volume stores data written by the virtual computer,

the management computer includes;

a second interface to be connected to the one or more computers and the one or more storage devices;

a second processor to be connected to the second interface; and

a second memory to be connected to the second processor, the method comprising the steps of;

transmitting, by the management computer, to any of the one or more storage devices including the first logical volume, a request for copying the data stored in the first logical volume into the second logical volume;

storing, by the storage device including the first logical volume, when receiving a request for writing data to the first logical volume from the virtual computer after receiving the request for copying the data stored in the first logical volume into the second logical volume, the data requested for writing as differential data without writing the data into the first logical volume;

reading, by the storage device including the first logical volume, the data stored in the first logical volume in accordance with the request for copying the data stored in the first logical volume into the second logical volume, and transmitting the data to any of the one or more storage devices including the second logical volume;

transmitting, by the management computer, after detecting completion of the copying of the data stored in the first logical volume into the second logical volume, a request for copying the differential data in storage into the second logical volume to the storage device including the first logical volume;

transmitting, by the management computer, in a time interval after detecting the completion of the copying of the data stored in the first logical volume into the second logical volume but before completion of the copying of the differential data into the second logical volume, a request for turning ON any of the hardware resources of the one or more computers allocated to the second virtual area to the computer including the hardware resources allocated to the second virtual area;

transmitting, by the management computer, after the completion of the copying of the differential data into the second logical volume, a request for migrating the virtual computer to the second virtual area; and

performing, by the virtual computer, after being migrated to the second virtual area, data input/output to/from the second logical volume.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of:

transmitting, by the storage device including the first logical volume, after completion of the reading and the transmitting of the data in accordance with the request for copying the data stored in the first logical volume into the second logical volume, a message of completion to the management computer, wherein

in the step of transmitting the request for copying the differential data in storage into the second logical volume, when receiving the message of completion, the completion of the copying is detected.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein

in the step of transmitting the request for copying the differential data in storage into the second logical volume, the management computer calculates a time needed for the copying of the data stored in the first logical volume into the second logical volume based on a capacity of the first logical volume, and a data transfer speed from the first to second logical volume, and

with a lapse of the calculated time, the completion of the copying is detected.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein

the network includes a plurality of switch devices for relaying data transfer between the one or more computers and the one or more storage devices,

the plurality of switch devices each include:

a plurality of ports;

a third interface to be connected to the management computer; and

a third power supply control section that controls power ON and OFF of each of the plurality of switch devices in accordance with a request coming from the management computer,

the ports are each connected to any of the one or more computers or any of the one or more storage devices,

the plurality of switch devices include first and second switch devices,

the virtual computer operating on the first virtual area performs data input/output to/from the first logical volume via the first switch device, and

the method further includes the steps of;

transmitting, by the management computer, in the time interval after detecting the completion of the copying of the data stored in the first logical volume into the second logical volume but before the completion of the copying of the differential data into the second logical volume, a request for turning ON the second switch device;

transmitting, by the management computer, after the completion of the copying of the differential data into the second logical volume, a request for changing a path for the virtual computer to perform the data input/output to/from the second logical volume via the second switch device before transmitting the request for migrating the virtual computer to the second virtual area; and

performing, by the virtual computer, after being migrated to the second virtual area, the data input/output to/from the second logical volume via the second switch device.