[Devel] Re: Containers Digest, Vol 24, Issue 82

[Peter Dolding]

On Fri, Jul 25, 2008 at 4:38 AM, Oren Laadan <orenl at cs.columbia.edu> wrote:
>
>
> Peter Dolding wrote:
>>>
>>> Daniel Lezcano <dlezcano at fr.ibm.com> writes:
>>>  * What are the problems that the linux community can solve with the
>>> checkpoint/restart ?
>>>
>>>       EB : Better to add a little CR functionnality into the kernel
>>> itself
>>> and add more after.
>>>
>>>       DLu : Problem with kernel version
>>>
>>>       OL : Compatibility with intermediate kernel version should be
>>> possible
>>> with userspace conversion tools
>>
>> Please look at BSD Jails and Solaris Branded Zones.  Both provide
>> virtual of system calls.
>
> Compatibility in the context above refers to ensuring that the restart code
> of a newer kernel will be able to read the checkpoint image taken by an
> older
> kernel. One way to do it is to include glue layers in the kernel; the
> solution
> we proposed was to convert the image in user space, if necessary.
>
>>
>> Its a major reason why BSD can just change there syscalls at will and
>> still run old applications.   So really its another container in its
>> own right.   Inside this container system calls are fake.  Removing
>> system call dependency from containers.   Both allow virtual syscalls
>> to be done in user space.  It ends this problem of worrying about
>> kernel version.   Do we have the system call container ok we fine.
>> Slower if we have to use it but fine to get around these issues.
>>
>>>       DLu : Non sequential file for checkpoint statefile is a challenge
>>>
>>>       OL : yes, but possible and useful for compression/encryption
>>>
>>>       We showed that there are five steps to realize a checkpoint:
>>>
>>>       1 - Pre-dump
>>>       2 - Freeze
>>>       3 - Dump
>>>       4 - Resume/kill
>>>       5 - Post-dump
>>>
>>>       At this point we state we want create a proof of concept and
>>> checkpoint/restart the simplest application.
>>>
>>>       We will add iteratively more and more kernel resources.
>>>
>>>       Process hierarchy created from kernel or userspace ?
>>>
>>>       OL : Seems better to send a chunk of data to kernel and that
>>> restores
>>> the processes hierarchy
>>>       PE : Agreed
>>>       OL : We should be able to checkpoint from inside the container,
>>> keep
>>> that in mind for later.
>>>
>>>       => we need a syscall or a ioctl
>>>
>>>       The first items to address before implementing the Checkpoint are:
>>>       1 - Make a container object (the context)
>>>       2 - Freeze the container (extend cgroup freezer ?)
>>>       3 - syscall | ioctl
>>>
>>>       First step:
>>>               * simplest application : A single process, without any
>>> file, no
>>> checkpoint of text file (same file system for restart), no signals, no
>>> syscall in the application, no ipc/no msgq, no network
>>>
>>>       Second step:
>>>               * multiple processes + zombie state
>>>
>>>       Third step:
>>>               * files, pipe, signals, socketpair ?
>>>
>>>       This proof of concept must came with a documentation describing
>>> what is
>>> supported, what is not supported and what we plan to do.
>>>
>> Missing critical Step 4.  How to deal with processes like games or
>> virus scanners  using hardware assist or cups half way threw printing
>> or other services half way threw doing something to a external device
>> who state is going to change.   That cannot be Frosen because the
>> state in those devices will be lost.   Even if there state could be
>> saved you might be unfreezing on a container without them.
>
> If they are using hardware that isn't (and cannot be) virtualized, they
> cannot
> be migrated to another machine.
>
> If they communicate with CUPS, then either the CUPS server lives within the
> same container, in which case it moves with the container; or they otherwise
> must communicate with the server via the network, in which case the network
> connections will be migrated with the container (and the application) as
> well.
>
I am talking about a mixed container.   Some of the applications in
there can be migrated.   But like a cups server talking to a usb
printer that is not going to be there after migration.   Game running
on local gpu that is not going to be there after migration.

Ok they are not moveable under your current model.  Lets say for one
secound they were container aware.  Like vitalisation aware.   You
inform cups that X printer is being disconnected to end chatter to
printer cleanly so printer does not need up jack hamming it carage
into the side of its case and damaging itself.  After sorted out cpus
is now migration ready where it was not before.  If done right you
could even connect the printer back after migration is done.   Allows
manual moving of hardware that is not network connected.

3d applications aware that they could be moved could be provided with
away of resetting up there stuff in the video card after migration
also become video card independent.  Ie like a game save and restore.
That save and restore in game play is normally 100 percent video card
neutral.

There are other ways around this issue that don't include virtual.  Ok
not as cpu effective but its the difference between not being able to
move something and can.

A system that applications could flag that they are tied to something
and can be informed to let go before migration and then reconnect up
after migration reduces how much you need to virtual.

Even being able to tag applications that cannot be migrated to inform
user would be handy.  It all about expanding migration options to the
point that nothing is imposable.  Just some things will take longer to
come back on the other side of the migration.  Same kind of extensions
would help with Linux Suspend.  For games and 3d software it could be
as simple as programs providing a call that goes threw the programs
data creating a save file that the program can restore back to its
current state on a different video card.  Memory and file operations
only.

Peter Dolding
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