Virtual machine management apparatus, and virtual machine management method and program

• US 8,112,527 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2007
• Issued: 02/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zoom Video Communications, Inc.
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Kawato, Masahiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Minh-Chau
• Application Number:
  US12/227,481
• Publication Number:
  US 20090210527A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,729 Days
• Field of Search: 709/220, 709/223, 709/226
• US Class Current: 709/226
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2009/4557 Distribution of virtual machine instances; Migration and load balancing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2009/45591 Monitoring or debugging support
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/45558 Hypervisor-specific management and integration aspects

Abstract

A virtual machine management apparatus connected to a plurality of server devices via a network generates a new virtual machine on a server device in accordance with a request from a management terminal. At that time, for one or more server devices to which a new virtual machine can be allocated, the virtual machine management apparatus refers to an allocation rule table for storing a score for each of combinations of types of virtual machines. The score indicates appropriateness of a condition that each combination of types of virtual machines is to be allocated to the same server device. Thus, the virtual machine management apparatus computes an index value indicative of appropriateness of a condition that the new virtual machine is to be allocated to the server device. Then the virtual machine management apparatus determines an allocation target for the new virtual machine with reference to the computed index value.

Claims

1. A virtual machine management apparatus connected to a plurality of server devices via a network, comprising:

one or more computers, the one or more computers including;

an allocation rule table that stores a plurality of scores, each score for each of combinations of types of virtual machines, each score indicating appropriateness of a condition that the combination of types of virtual machines is to be allocated to the same server device, each score being set for each of the combinations of any number of types of virtual machines among a plurality of the virtual machines, and each score being higher in a case of less resource conflicts and more communications with each other;

a virtual machine allocation determination unit that;

selects one or more server devices to which a new virtual machine can be allocated, computes an index value in a case where the new virtual machine is allocated to each of the selected server devices with use of the score, determines a sever device as an allocation target for the new virtual machine with reference to the computed index value that defines maximum value of the score differences, and selects the determined server device that can ensure a resource required for the new virtual machine at present as a server device to which the new virtual machine can be allocated; and

a virtual machine migration determination unit that;

selects a server device as an allocation target for the new virtual machine that can ensure a resource required at present from a sever device from which an existing virtual machine has been migrated and a server device to which the existing virtual machine has been migrated, irrespective of the present resource,

wherein the virtual machine migration determination unit is called by the virtual machine allocation determination unit when there is no server device that can ensure a resource required for the new virtual machine at present.

2. The virtual machine management apparatus as recited in claim 1, comprising a migration unit that computes, for each of possible migration methods of migrating a virtual machine on one server device to another server device, an index value indicative of appropriateness of the migration method with reference to the score independently of the allocation of the new virtual machine, and migrates an existing virtual machine with reference to the computed index value.

3. The virtual machine management apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the migration unit operates at predetermined intervals, or each time a resource of a server device or a virtual machine reaches a predetermined condition, or each time a virtual machine is stopped.

4. The virtual machine management apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the virtual machine migration determination unit computes, for each of possible migration methods that can generate a server device to which the new virtual machine can be allocated, an index value of appropriateness of the migration method with reference to the score, and determines a transfer method for a virtual machine with reference to the computed index value.

5. The virtual machine management apparatus as recited in claim 1, comprising:

a server monitor unit that collects, for each type of virtual machines, status of usage of a resource in the virtual machine and status of communication of the virtual machine with other virtual machines from a server device to which the type of virtual machines is allocated; and

an allocation rule generation unit that generates the score from the information collected by the server monitor unit and a predetermined score generation rule to store the score in the allocation rule table.

6. A virtual machine management apparatus connected to a plurality of server devices via a network, comprising:

one or more computers, the one or more computers including;

an allocation rule table that stores a plurality of scores, each score for each of combinations of types of virtual machines, each score indicating appropriateness of a condition that the combination of types of virtual machines is to be allocated to the same server device, each score being set for each of the combinations of any number of types of virtual machines among the plurality of the virtual machines, and each score being higher in a case of less resource conflicts and more communications with each other; and

a virtual machine allocation and migration determination unit that;

selects possible allocation methods for a new virtual machine that involve no migration of an existing virtual machine and possible allocation methods for a new virtual machine that involve migration of an existing virtual machine, computes, for each of the selected possible allocation methods, an index value indicative of appropriateness of the allocation method with use of the score, and selects an allocation method from among the possible allocation methods involving no migration and the possible allocation methods involving migration with reference to the computed index value that defines maximum value of the score differences, and determines a server device as an allocation target for the new virtual machine with reference to the selected allocation method; and

wherein the possible allocation methods that involve no migration of the existing virtual machine are methods of selecting an allocation target for the new virtual machine from among the plurality server devices having enough resources at present; and

wherein the possible allocation methods that involve migration of the existing virtual machine are methods of selecting an allocation target for the new virtual machine that has enough resources from a server device from which an existing virtual machine has been migrated and a server device to which the existing virtual machine has been migrated, irrespective of the present resources.

7. The virtual machine management apparatus as recited in claim 6, comprising a migration unit that computes, for each of possible migration methods of migrating a virtual machine on one server device to another server device, an index value indicative of appropriateness of the migration method with reference to the score independently of the allocation of the new virtual machine, and migrates an existing virtual machine with reference to the computed index value.

8. The virtual machine management apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the migration unit operates at predetermined intervals, or each time a resource of a server device or a virtual machine reaches a predetermined condition, or each time a virtual machine is stopped.

9. The virtual machine management apparatus as recited in claim 6, comprising:

a server monitor unit that collects, for each type of virtual machines, status of usage of a resource in the virtual machine and status of communication of the virtual machine with other virtual machines from a server device to which that type of virtual machines is allocated; and

an allocation rule generation unit that generates the score from the information collected by the server monitor unit and a predetermined score generation rule to store the score in the allocation rule table.

10. A method of managing virtual machines on a plurality of server devices with a computer connected to the plurality of server devices via a network, comprising:

a first step in which the computer selects one or more server devices to which a new virtual machine can be allocated;

a second step in which the computer computes, for each of the selected server devices, an index value in a case where the new virtual machine is allocated to the selected server device with reference to a score for each of combinations of types of virtual machines from an allocation rule table, the score indicating appropriateness of a condition that the combination of types of virtual machines is to be allocated to the same server device, the score being set for each of the combinations of any number of types of visual machines among the plurality of the virtual machines, the score being higher in a case of less resource conflicts and more communications with each other; and

a third step in which the computer determines a sever device as an allocation target for the new virtual machine with reference to the computed index value that defines maximum value of the score differences,

wherein the first step comprises selecting the determined server device that can ensure a resource required for the new virtual machine at present as a server device to which the new virtual machine can be allocated,

wherein the first step comprises attempting to selects a server device as an allocation target for the new virtual machine can be allocated that can ensure a resource required at present from a sever device from which an existing virtual machine has been migrated and a server device to which the existing virtual machine has been migrated when there is no server device that can ensure a resource required for the new virtual machine at present.

11. The virtual machine management method as recited in claim 10, further comprising a fourth step in which the computer computes, for each of possible migration methods of migrating a virtual machine on one server device to another server device, an index value indicative of appropriateness of the migration method with reference to the score independently of the allocation of the new virtual machine, and migrates an existing virtual machine with reference to the computed index value.

12. The virtual machine management method as recited in claim 11, wherein the fourth step is started at predetermined intervals, or each time a resource of a server device or a virtual machine reaches a predetermined condition, or each time a virtual machine is stopped.

13. The virtual machine management method as recited in claim 10, wherein the first step comprises computing, for each of possible migration methods that can generate a server device to which the new virtual machine can be allocated, an index value of appropriateness of the migration method with reference to the score, and determining a migration method for a virtual machine with reference to the computed index value.

14. The virtual machine management method as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

a fifth step in which the computer collects, for each type of virtual machines, status of usage of a resource in the virtual machine and status of communication of the virtual machine with other virtual machines from a server device to which that type of virtual machines is allocated; and

a sixth step in which the computer generates the score from the collected information and a predetermined score generation rule and stores the score in the allocation rule table.

15. A method of managing virtual machines on a plurality of server devices with a computer connected to the plurality of server devices via a network, comprising:

a first step in which the computer selects possible allocation methods for a new virtual machine that involve no migration of an existing virtual machine and possible allocation methods for a new virtual machine that involve migration of an existing virtual machine;

a second step in which the computer computes, for each of the selected possible allocation methods, an index value indicative of appropriateness of the allocation method with reference to a score for each of combinations of types of virtual machines from an allocation rule table, the score indicating appropriateness of a condition that the combination of types of virtual machines is to be allocated to the same server device, the score being set for each of the combinations of any number of types of virtual machines among the plurality of the virtual machines, the score being higher in a case of less resource conflicts and more communications with each other, and selects an allocation method from among the possible allocation methods involving no migration and the possible allocation methods involving migration with reference to the computed index value that defines maximum value of the score differences; and

a third step in which the computer determines a server device as an allocation target for the new virtual machine with reference to the selected allocation method; and

wherein the possible allocation methods that involve no migration of the existing virtual machine are methods of selecting an allocation target for the new virtual machine from among the plurality server devices having enough resources at present; and

wherein the possible allocation methods that involve migration of the existing virtual machine are methods of selecting an allocation target for the new virtual machine that has enough resources from a server device from which an existing virtual machine has been migrated and a server device to which the existing virtual machine has been migrated, irrespective of the present resources.

16. The virtual machine management method as recited in claim 15, further comprising a fourth step in which the computer computes, for each of possible migration methods of migrating a virtual machine on one server device to another server device, an index value indicative of appropriateness of the migration method with reference to the score independently of the allocation of the new virtual machine, and migrates an existing virtual machine with reference to the computed index value.

17. The virtual machine management method as recited in claim 16, wherein the fourth step is started at predetermined intervals, or each time a resource of a server device or a virtual machine reaches a predetermined condition, or each time a virtual machine is stopped.

18. The virtual machine management method as recited in claim 15, further comprising:

a fifth step in which the computer collects, for each type of virtual machines, status of usage of a resource in the virtual machine and status of communication of the virtual machine with other virtual machines from a server device to which that type of virtual machines is allocated; and

a sixth step in which the computer generates the score from the collected information and a predetermined score generation rule and stores the score in the allocation rule table.

19. A non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing a program for allowing a computer connected to a plurality of server devices via a network to perform:

a first process of selecting one or more server devices to which a new virtual machine can be allocated;

a second process of computing, for each of the selected server devices, an index value in a case where the new virtual machine is allocated to the selected server device with reference to a score for each of combinations of types of virtual machines from an allocation rule table, the score indicating appropriateness of a condition that the combination of types of virtual machines is to be allocated to the same server device, the score being set for each of the combinations of any number of types of virtual machines among the plurality of the virtual machines, the score being higher in a case of less resource conflicts and more communications with each other; and

a third process of determining a sever device as an allocation target for the new virtual machine with reference to the computed index value that defines maximum value of the score differences,

wherein the first process comprises selecting the determined server device that can ensure a resource required for the new virtual machine at present as a server device to which the new virtual machine can be allocated,

wherein the first process comprises attempting to selects a server device as an allocation target for the new virtual machine can be allocated that can ensure a resource required at present from a sever device from which an existing virtual machine has been migrated and a server device to which the existing virtual machine has been migrated when there is no server device that can ensure a resource required for the new virtual machine at present.

20. The non-transitory computer readable recording medium as recited in claim 19, wherein the program allows the computer to further perform a fourth process of computing, for each of possible migration methods of migrating a virtual machine on one server device to another server device, an index value indicative of appropriateness of the migration method with reference to the score independently of the allocation of the new virtual machine, and of migrating an existing virtual machine with reference to the computed index value.

21. The non-transitory computer readable recording medium as recited in claim 20, wherein the fourth process is started at predetermined intervals, or each time a resource of a server device or a virtual machine reaches a predetermined condition, or each time a virtual machine is stopped.

22. The non-transitory computer readable recording medium as recited in claim 19, wherein the first process comprises computing, for each of possible migration methods that can generate a server device to which the new virtual machine can be allocated, an index value of appropriateness of the migration method with reference to the score, and determining a migration method for a virtual machine with reference to the computed index value.

23. The non-transitory computer readable recording medium as recited in claim 19, wherein the program allows the computer to further perform:

a fifth process of collecting, for each type of virtual machines, status of usage of a resource in the virtual machine and status of communication of the virtual machine with other virtual machines from a server device to which that type of virtual machines is allocated; and

a sixth process of generating the score from the collected information and a predetermined score generation rule and stores the score in the allocation rule table.

24. A non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing a program for allowing a computer connected to a plurality of server devices via a network to perform:

a first process of selecting possible allocation methods for a new virtual machine that involve no migration of an existing virtual machine and possible allocation methods for a new virtual machine that involve transfer of an existing virtual machine;

a second process of computing, for each of the selected possible allocation methods, an index value indicative of appropriateness of the allocation method with reference to a score for each of combinations of types of virtual machines from an allocation rule table, the score indicating appropriateness of a condition that the combination of types of virtual machines is to be allocated to the same server device, the score being set for each of the combinations of any number of types of virtual machines among the plurality of the virtual machines, the score being higher in a case of less resource conflicts and more communications with each other, and selecting an allocation method from among the possible allocation methods involving no migration and the possible allocation methods involving migration with reference to the computed index value that defines maximum value of the score differences; and

a third process of determining a server device as an allocation target for the new virtual machine with reference to the selected allocation method; and

wherein the possible allocation methods that involve no migration of the existing virtual machine are methods of selecting an allocation target for the new virtual machine from among the plurality server devices having enough resources at present; and

wherein the possible allocation methods that involve migration of the existing virtual machine are methods of selecting an allocation target for the new virtual machine that has enough resources from a server device from which an existing virtual machine has been migrated and a server device to which the existing virtual machine has been migrated, irrespective of the present resources.

25. The non-transitory computer readable recording medium as recited in claim 24, wherein the program allows the computer to further perform a fourth process of computing, for each of possible migration methods of migrating a virtual machine on one server device to another server device, an index value indicative of appropriateness of the migration method with reference to the score independently of the allocation of the new virtual machine, and of migrating an existing virtual machine with reference to the computed index value.

26. The non-transitory computer readable recording medium as recited in claim 25, wherein the fourth process is started at predetermined intervals, or each time a resource of a server device or a virtual machine reaches a predetermined condition, or each time a virtual machine is stopped.

27. The non-transitory computer readable recording medium as recited in claim 24, wherein the program allows the computer to further perform:

a fifth process of collecting, for each type of virtual machines, status of usage of a resource in the virtual machine and status of communication of the virtual machine with other virtual machines from a server device to which that type of virtual machines is allocated; and

a sixth process of generating the score from the collected information and a predetermined score generation rule and stores the score in the allocation rule table.