- Live Update Orchestrator is a new tool for Google to update the kernel Linux without hard resets.
- The system allows certain devices to remain operational during the transition from one kernel to another.
- It is specifically designed for cloud environments, minimizing the impact on Virtual machines.
- It works through a state machine and callback API that facilitate hot updates.
Google is working on a new mechanism for updating the Linux kernel with the least possible downtime. Through a feedback proposal, its engineers have announced the possibility. Live Update Orchestrator (LUA), a tool designed to facilitate live updates in cloud environments. This is especially important when considering how Updates may affect performance systems.
The main objective of this initiative is to allow certain devices to continue working. while the system switches from one kernel to another. This is particularly useful in cloud infrastructures, where stop virtual machines to update the operating system can be problematic.
An innovative approach to kernel updates
The mechanism proposed by Google is based on a live update, avoiding the need to completely reboot the system. In this process, selected devices can continue to operate, keeping the interrupt communication and direct memory access (DMA). This is reminiscent of the need for a proper management of system updates.
To achieve this, Google has developed a new infrastructure layer called dev_liveupdateThis technology allows certain devices to remain operational while the kernel is being updated, thereby reducing disruption to critical systems.
How the Live Update Orchestrator Works
The heart of this system is a state machine which monitors the progress of the kernel update. In addition, the system has a callback API that allows for the integration of other kernel subsystems, such as:
- KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) for virtualization in Linux.
- Interrupt and memory management using IOMMU.
- Device infrastructure through the dev_liveupdate subsystem.
Thanks to this structure, Google seeks to optimize maintenance times on servers and large data centers, without affecting the performance of production machines. This is essential to avoid problems during system updates.
In addition, ways to make kernel administration easier are being explored. in environments that require high availability.
Focus on cloud computing
One of the main use cases of Live Update Orchestrator is the Hypervisor upgrade in cloud environmentsWith this new system, Google aims to avoid the interruption of virtual machines during a kernel update, improving the stability and availability of services.
This is particularly beneficial for cloud infrastructure providers, where security and maintenance updates can affect thousands of customers if not done correctly, as noted in other cases of update errors that were previously presented.
Using Live Update Orchestrator in these scenarios would allow for greater operational continuity., ensuring that critical services do not suffer unexpected outages.
Current status of the project
For now, Live Update Orchestrator is under development and has been submitted as a request for comments within the Linux kernel community. The proposal includes a series of patches that implement initial functionality and are being evaluated by developers. In this context, it is relevant to consider how these are managed. update errors in others OS.
The Google team responsible for Live Update Orchestrator has emphasized that this new technology has the potential to significantly improve kernel management on production systems, reducing the need for full reboots and offering greater flexibility in update management.
Although there is no specific date yet for its integration into the main Linux kernel, development progress and system optimization will determine its future in the coming months.
With this initiative, Google seeks to take the stability and ease of updating cloud environments to a new level, allowing more efficient management of server infrastructure without affecting end users.
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