Transparent Checkpointing for OpenGL Applications on GPUs

Authors: David Hou, Jun Gan, Yue Li, Younes El Idrissi Yazami and Twinkle Jain

Session: Talk Session IV

Time: February 5, 2021 11:30am - 12:00pm PST

Abstract - Transparent checkpointing of OpenGL applications is presented, refining the concept of split processes to apply to GPU-based 3D graphics. Split processes were earlier applied to checkpointing MPI and to CUDA. Split processes solve the problem of re-initializing graphics libraries during restart.

The design is targeted toward checkpoint-package agnostic checkpointing of OpenGL applications. An early prototype has been demonstrated on Autodesk Maya. Maya is a complex proprietary media-creation software suite used with large-scale rendering hardware for CGI (Computer-Generated Animation). Transparent checkpointing of Maya fills a critical need, since Maya is prone to crash when artists use some of its bleeding-edge components. Artists then lose hours of work in re-creating their complex environment.

Index Terms -checkpoint-restart, OpenGL, GPU, DMTCP, CRIU, Maya

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