Agentless Virtual Machine Backup via Temporary Disk Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual machine backup methods are not truly agentless, as they require a 'mini-agent' to be copied into the virtual machine for data collection and operations, which can lead to unnecessary files remaining and potential compatibility issues with the host system, and may require disk space modifications and registry changes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for performing agentless backup of a virtual machine using a temporary attached virtual disk, where a software application is loaded on a virtual machine disk to collect metadata, generate a snapshot, and store a backup in an archive without modifying the virtual machine's filesystem, utilizing a datastore with read-only and read-write partitions to manage metadata collection and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mini-agent is copied into the virtual machine for backup operations, then metadata collection and service operations can be performed, but unnecessary files remain in the virtual machine and compatibility issues with the host system may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temporary virtual disk as an intermediary storage medium between the backup system and the virtual machine. The mini-agent writes metadata and collected information to this temporary disk rather than directly to the virtual machine's filesystem. After backup completion, the temporary disk is detached and discarded, ensuring no unnecessary files remain in the virtual machine while still enabling full metadata collection functionality during the backup process.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup system separates the storage function into distinct segments: the virtual machine's original filesystem remains unchanged, while a separate temporary virtual disk is created specifically for backup operations. This segmentation allows the mini-agent to operate with full file system access capabilities during backup without leaving any artifacts in the production environment, resolving the conflict between operational capability and cleanliness.
2Productivity
If the mini-agent modifies the virtual machine's filesystem or registry during backup, then backup operations can be completed, but the virtual machine's state is altered and may cause compatibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The temporary virtual disk serves as a mediator that absorbs all modifications during the backup process. The mini-agent performs registry changes, filesystem operations, and metadata writes exclusively on this temporary disk. Since the temporary disk is detached after backup completion, all modifications are effectively isolated and discarded, ensuring the virtual machine's original state and composition remain completely stable while still enabling full backup functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of modifying the original virtual machine filesystem and registry directly, the system creates a copy environment through the temporary virtual disk. The mini-agent operates on this copy, performing all necessary backup operations including registry modifications and filesystem changes. The original virtual machine remains untouched, maintaining its stability and composition integrity while the backup process completes successfully.
3Quantity of substance
If disk space is increased in the virtual machine to accommodate backup operations, then backup can proceed, but the virtual machine requires additional disk space modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The temporary virtual disk provides the necessary disk space for backup operations without requiring any modification to the virtual machine's permanent storage allocation. This intermediary disk is created, mounted, and discarded in the context of the backup operation, providing ample space for metadata collection and temporary files while leaving the virtual machine's disk configuration completely unchanged, thus eliminating the need for ease-of-manufacture modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method is disclosed for performing agentless backup of a virtual machine using a temporary attached virtual disk. An example method includes creating a virtual machine disk in a datastore, loading a software application in the virtual machine disk, the software application being configured to collect metadata relating to at least one application executing in an operating system of the virtual machine, communicatively coupling the datastore to the virtual machine, collecting the metadata relating to the at least one application executing in the operating system of the virtual machine, generating a snapshot of the virtual machine, and storing a backup of the virtual machine in a backup archive based on the snapshot.