SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING MEMORY USAGE IN VIRTUAL MACHINES

摘要

A method (and system) for managing memory among virtual machines in a system having a plurality of virtual machines, includes providing at least one memory optimization mechanism which can reduce memory usage of a virtual machine at a cost of increasing CPU usage. Information on memory usage and CPU usage of each virtual machine is periodically collected. In response to detecting that a first virtual machine exhibits a high level of memory use, at least one second virtual machine with extra CPU capacity is identified. The at least one memory optimization mechanism is applied to the at least one second virtual machine, to reduce memory used by the at least one second virtual machine, thereby providing a portion of freed memory. The portion of freed memory is then allocated to the first virtual machine.

主权项

1. In a system comprised of a plurality of virtual machines, a method for managing memory among the virtual machines, the method comprising:
providing at least one memory optimization mechanism which can reduce a memory usage of a virtual machine at a cost of increasing a central processing unit (CPU) usage; periodically collecting information on a memory usage and a CPU usage of each virtual machine; in response to a first virtual machine exhibiting a high level of memory use, identifying at least one second virtual machine with an extra CPU capacity; applying, to the at least one second virtual machine the at least one memory optimization mechanism, to reduce memory used by the at least one second virtual machine, thereby providing a portion of freed memory; and allocating the portion of freed memory to the first virtual machine.