# DeepVM: Integrating Spot and On-Demand VMs for Cost-Efficient Deep Learning Clusters in the Cloud

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2403.05861 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2403.05861/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 9 Mar 2024.

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [Cost-Efficient LLM Serving in the Cloud: VM Selection with KV Cache Offloading](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2504.11816/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Distributed Deep Learning (DDL), as a paradigm, dictates the use of GPU-based clusters as the optimal infrastructure for training large-scale Deep Neural Networks (DNNs). However, the high cost of such resources makes them inaccessible to many users. Public cloud services, particularly Spot Virtual Machines (VMs), offer a cost-effective alternative, but their unpredictable availability poses a significant challenge to the crucial checkpointing process in DDL. To address this, we introduce DeepVM, a novel solution that recommends cost-effective cluster configurations by intelligently balancing the use of Spot and On-Demand VMs. DeepVM leverages a four-stage process that analyzes instance performance using the FLOPP (FLoating-point Operations Per Price) metric, performs architecture-level analysis with linear programming, and identifies the optimal configuration for the user-specific needs. Extensive simulations and real-world deployments in the AWS environment demonstrate that DeepVM consistently outperforms other policies, reducing training costs and overall makespan. By enabling cost-effective checkpointing with Spot VMs, DeepVM opens up DDL to a wider range of users and facilitates a more efficient training of complex DNNs.