CloudSim: A Novel Framework for Modeling and Simulation of Cloud Computing Infrastructures and Services (0903.2525v1)

Abstract: Cloud computing focuses on delivery of reliable, secure, fault-tolerant, sustainable, and scalable infrastructures for hosting Internet-based application services. These applications have different composition, configuration, and deployment requirements. Quantifying the performance of scheduling and allocation policy on a Cloud infrastructure (hardware, software, services) for different application and service models under varying load, energy performance (power consumption, heat dissipation), and system size is an extremely challenging problem to tackle. To simplify this process, in this paper we propose CloudSim: a new generalized and extensible simulation framework that enables seamless modelling, simulation, and experimentation of emerging Cloud computing infrastructures and management services. The simulation framework has the following novel features: (i) support for modelling and instantiation of large scale Cloud computing infrastructure, including data centers on a single physical computing node and java virtual machine; (ii) a self-contained platform for modelling data centers, service brokers, scheduling, and allocations policies; (iii) availability of virtualization engine, which aids in creation and management of multiple, independent, and co-hosted virtualized services on a data center node; and (iv) flexibility to switch between space-shared and time-shared allocation of processing cores to virtualized services.

• The paper introduces CloudSim, a novel framework that enables scalable simulation of cloud infrastructures and virtualized services.
• It integrates virtualization support and cost modeling to simulate resource allocation, scheduling strategies, and market-driven scenarios.
• Performance tests demonstrate CloudSim’s efficiency, simulating up to 100,000 hosts with linear memory scaling on moderate hardware.

Overview of CloudSim: A Framework for Cloud Computing Simulation

The paper "CloudSim: A Novel Framework for Modeling and Simulation of Cloud Computing Infrastructures and Services" introduces CloudSim, an extensible simulation framework designed to facilitate modeling, simulation, and experimentation of cloud computing environments. CloudSim is tailored for the analysis and evaluation of cloud infrastructures ranging from data centers to application services. This summary provides an in-depth analysis of its contributions, capabilities, and implications.

Key Features of CloudSim

CloudSim distinguishes itself with several novel features:

1. Scalability and Flexibility: It supports the simulation of large-scale cloud infrastructures, including data centers, on a single computing node. This allows for efficient resource management and experimentation without the need for extensive hardware.
2. Virtualization Support: The framework includes a virtualization engine that facilitates the management of multiple, co-hosted virtualized services. This extends the flexibility in allocation strategies for processing cores, enabling both space-shared and time-shared scheduling.
3. Comprehensive Simulation Environment: CloudSim acts as a self-contained platform capable of modelling a range of cloud components such as hosts, data centers, and service brokers, along with scheduling and allocation policies.
4. Cost Modelling and Economic Analysis: CloudSim incorporates economic-driven resource management by allowing simulations of market scenarios related to cloud brokerages and exchanges.

Architectural and Implementation Details

CloudSim builds upon the pre-existing GridSim toolkit, extending it to cloud-specific applications. It leverages the SimJava engine for event scheduling, ensuring efficient message passing and event management. The architecture is organized into layers, each responsible for discrete functionalities ranging from low-level event handling to user-specific simulation configurations.

At the core, CloudSim uses components like Datacenter, DatacenterBroker, and VirtualMachine to simulate complex cloud operations. These components are integrated into a cohesive simulation environment, allowing for detailed control and analysis of task scheduling, resource allocation, and scaling strategies.

Performance Evaluation

The paper presents rigorous tests to quantify CloudSim's performance in different scenarios. Notably, the simulation of 100,000 hosts demonstrates the framework’s scalability, with memory usage scaling linearly and reasonable time overheads during instantiation. This establishes its practicality even on moderate computing devices.

Implications and Future Directions

CloudSim provides a robust platform for both theoretical and practical exploration of cloud computing paradigms. It addresses the need for reliable and repeatable testing environments, critical in the context of real-world cloud systems where resources carry significant financial implications.

The framework can potentially accelerate the development of cloud technologies by enabling experimentation with new protocols, allocation methods, and economic models. Future enhancements could include capabilities for simulating federated cloud networks and improved support for elastic applications, further expanding its utility in academic and industrial research.

In conclusion, CloudSim serves as a critical tool for advancing cloud computing research, offering an accessible, versatile, and comprehensive simulation environment.