Optimizing High Availability in Educational Systems Using Xen Paravirtualization

Abstract

In today's world, where technology plays a crucial role in development, education is also benefiting from advancements in network infrastructure and virtualized services. Virtualization technology and high-availability (HA) infrastructures usage can transform how educational institutions manage and deliver their services. This is especially important for learning environments that require continuous access to critical systems such as data servers, online learning platforms, and student resources. Network and server administrators in educational institutions must ensure the availability and security of their systems. Building high-availability infrastructures enables the creation of more secure and stable environments, ensuring uninterrupted access to essential resources for students and educators. This paper addresses the use of virtualization technology in managing high-availability services using open-source tools. Educational services can be hosted on virtual machines that are automatically migrated between physical nodes of a cluster system in case of a network failure, ensuring a seamless experience for users. The project utilizes the open-source Heartbeat program to enable real-time migration of virtual machines between physical nodes in a cluster. A solution and algorithm (Perf+) will be developed to improve CPU performance and memory and reduce downtime during migration. The solution will be tested in an experimental HA system, measuring the impact of migration on performance. This approach helps educational institutions adopt innovative technologies to enhance the quality of education, ensuring continuous and reliable access to their services.

Received: 17 December 2024 / Accepted: 5 February 2025 / Published: 06 March 2025