Transparent Checkpointing for OpenGL Applications on GPUs

TL;DR

This paper introduces a transparent checkpointing method for OpenGL applications on GPUs, enabling fault tolerance in complex graphics software like Autodesk Maya by reinitializing driver libraries without modifying the application.

Contribution

It adapts the split-process technique for GPU-based OpenGL applications, demonstrating a practical, application-agnostic checkpointing system with a prototype on Maya.

Findings

Enabled fault tolerance for Maya with checkpointing

Demonstrated prototype on complex proprietary software

Improved resilience against crashes in GPU-accelerated applications

Abstract

This work presents transparent checkpointing of OpenGL applications, refining the split-process technique[1] for application in GPU-based 3D graphics. The split-process technique was earlier applied to checkpointing MPI and CUDA programs, enabling reinitialization of driver libraries. The presented design targets practical, checkpoint-package agnostic checkpointing of OpenGL applications. An early prototype is 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 provides critically-needed fault tolerance, 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.