Trends in future data centers: Shared memory technology for virtual machines

VM (virtualized machine) is a virtual and smaller machine created on a physical server. The emergence of VMs aims to utilize computer resources better and improve system security by virtualizing a physical computer into multiple logical virtual machines using software virtualization technology. It has extensive applications in improving system efficiency, reducing hardware costs, and enhancing system security.

Such VM applications require a large amount of memory to run appropriately, such as running as a database server or a virtual desktop to support users in running applications simultaneously or used in high-performance computing for data processing and Big Data analysis. However, when the memory required by the applications running in the VM exceeds the memory size configured for the VM, plus the system administrator fails to adjust the memory configuration of the VM on time according to the application's requirements, it may result in short memory usage, negatively impacting its performance and availability. The impacts may include:

• Slow performance:

The system may run slowly due to more time reading data from the hard drive or other media into memory.

• System instability:

The system can not meet the memory requirements, resulting in VM crashes or shutdowns.

• Operation failure:

Certain operations fail or generate errors. For example, if the VM tries to copy a large file to the hard drive, it may encounter errors since the system cannot process enough data in memory.

• Increased downtime:

The system may need more time to process the VM, resulting in increased downtime for the VM.

Luckily, as the CXL(Compute Express Link) technology comes out, followed by relevant research and investment, there can have an alternative solution to this insufficient memory usage problem. The emergence of CXL can be the solution to meet the needs of modern data centers and high-performance computing run by VM.

CXL  is a high-speed interconnect technology that allows CPUs, GPUs, FPGAs, and other devices to exchange data fast through shared memory. The emergence of CXL technology is a promising solution to the problem of reduced efficiency due to insufficient memory in VMs. CXL technology enables multiple VMs to share the same physical memory area, eliminating the need for memory mapping and switching. Memory sharing also improves efficiency and performance when numerous VMs accesses the same memory pool without the overhead of memory mapping and switching.

In addition to improving the efficiency and performance of VMs, CXL technology also enables high-speed data transfer. This feature is particularly critical for VM applications such as virtual desktops, which require high-speed data transfer to ensure a smooth user experience.

Moreover, CXL technology can also benefit overall system efficiency by reducing hardware costs. Instead of having dedicated memory for each VM, multiple VMs can share the same physical memory, reducing the hardware requirements and overall cost.

Overall, the emergence of CXL technology provides a promising solution to the problem of reduced efficiency due to insufficient memory in VMs. With CXL technology, VMs can share physical memory, improving efficiency and performance, reducing hardware costs, and enhancing system security.