An integrated optimization method to task scheduling and VM placement for green datacenters

Abstract

In the realm of cloud computing, effective resource allocation can significantly enhance the energy efficiency of datacenters. Task scheduling and Virtual Machine Placement (VMP) are two pivotal aspects of resource allocation. However, in current research, they are often treated separately, overlooking the potential for integrated optimization. In this paper, we propose an integrated solution for task scheduling and VMP in energy-efficient datacenters, based on queueing theory and Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) methods. This novel and comprehensive approach provides an alternative perspective for resource scheduling strategies in datacenters. We construct a queueing theory model for task scheduling, aiming to minimize the number of VMs that need to be instantiated, while ensuring that Service Level Agreement (SLA) violation remains at a low level. Furthermore, we design a VMP algorithm based on DRL for real-time selection of Physical Hosts (PHs) for deploying VMs. Finally, we conduct a simulation evaluation using a small-scale datacenter. The experimental results demonstrate that our method consistently ensures a lower rate of SLA violation. Compared to existing algorithms, the DRL-based VMP algorithm enables a more balanced utilization of the various resources in the PHs and reduces the total power consumption of the datacenter by more than 10% on average.