Performance variability reduction using an opportunistic hypervisor

A server, comprising:

• a memory storing instructions that when executed on or across one or more processors implement a hypervisor;
• and
• an offload card;
• wherein the offload card is configured to:
• issue one or more requests to the hypervisor;
• and
• wherein the hypervisor is configured to:
• in response to a first request of the one or more requests, initiate at least a portion of a virtualization management task;
• and
• enter a quiescent state after the portion of the virtualization management task is complete.

A method, comprising:

• obtaining, at an offload card of a server, an indication of a virtualization management task to be performed at the server;
• sending, by the offload card of a host to a hypervisor at the server, a request indicating the virtualization management task;
• and
• initiating, by the hypervisor, at least a portion of the virtualization management task.

One or more non-transitory computer-accessible storage media storing program instructions that when executed on or across one or more processors cause one or more computer systems to:

• determine, at a hypervisor, that a request has been issued from an offload card;
• initiate, by the hypervisor in response to the request, at least a portion of a virtualization management task;
• and
• enter, by the hypervisor, a quiescent state after at least the portion of the virtualization management task has been completed.