Client live migration for a virtual machine

#The embodiments of the invention relate generally to virtual machine systems and, more specifically, to live migration of running instance of a virtual machine between client devices.

#Client devices may establish connections to instances of virtual machines running on remote hosts. In some cases, a user may start an instance of a virtual machine with a first client device and may wish to continue use of that virtual machine instance from a different client device. However, typically in conventional virtualization systems in such a situation the user would disconnect from the virtual machine, causing the instance of that virtual machine to end. The user would then initiate creation of a new instance of that virtual machine from the second client device.

#The invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the invention. The drawings, however, should not be taken to limit the invention to the specific embodiments, but are for explanation and understanding only.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example network architecture in which embodiments of the present invention may operate;

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a virtualization system that can perform live migration of virtual machine instances between client devices;

#Embodiments of the invention provide for a mechanism for migration of a running virtual machine instance between client devices. In one embodiment, a first client device of a user requests access to a virtual machine such as a virtual desktop. The first client device may be, for example, a mobile phone. A server connects the first client device to a running virtual machine instance. A second client device of the user then also requests access to the virtual machine. The second client device may be, for example, a desktop computer. The server connects the second client device to the virtual machine instance that the first client device is already connected to. After the second client device connects to the virtual machine instance, the server may disconnect the first client device or disable one or more functions associated with the first client device.

#In a real world example, a user may connect to a virtual desktop provided by a server via his mobile phone. From the virtual desktop, he may initiate a video conference. This video conference may receive voice data from the mobile phone's microphone and may receive image data from a camera included in the mobile phone. During the video conference the user may arrive at work, and may turn on his desktop computer. From the desktop computer, he may connect to the virtual desktop. Once the desktop computer is connected to the virtual desktop, the server may begin receiving image data from a web cam attached to the desktop computer and voice data from a microphone connected to the desktop computer. The server may disconnect the mobile phone from the virtual desktop, and the user may continue his video conference from his desktop computer without any interruption having occurred. Note that the server may begin receiving data from the desktop computer and may disconnect the mobile phone responsive to a request from the mobile phone, a request from the desktop or a request from a third party such as a migration manager.

#Note that embodiments of the present invention are discussed with reference to connection to a virtual machine. However, it should be noted that embodiments of the present invention may also be used to create connections for remote access to physical machines. For example, embodiments may enable migration of a connection to a running physical machine between client devices.