Auto-Hydration Manager for Virtual Machine Image Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtualization platforms, updating the image of a virtual machine requires manual intervention, including shutting down the machine, downloading an updated image, and re-launching with new configurations, which is tedious and inefficient, especially when managing multiple virtual machines hosting applications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of lambda functions within an auto-hydration manager to automatically update virtual machine images by cloning launch configurations, storing data remotely, and re-launching instances with new images, while assessing application health to dynamically adjust resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual updating of virtual machine images is performed, then updating can be completed, but the process is tedious and inefficient requiring shutdown and re-launch
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating a snapshot of the current virtual machine state and preparing the updated image in advance. The launch configuration is modified beforehand to point to the new image, so when the update is triggered, the virtual machine can be restarted with the new configuration without manual intervention for each step.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the current virtual machine configuration and state through snapshots. This allows the original virtual machine to be preserved while a new instance is created with the updated image, enabling seamless updates without losing the original state if needed.
2Extent of automation
If virtual machine images are updated across multiple instances, then all instances receive updates, but manual intervention for each instance is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a universal update mechanism that works across multiple virtual machine instances simultaneously. By modifying the launch configuration template and using automated snapshot management, the same update process can be applied to any number of instances without requiring different procedures for each one.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service updating where the virtual machine update process is automated through predefined configurations and triggers. When an update is initiated, the system automatically snapshots the current state, applies the new image, and manages the transition without requiring manual intervention for each individual update operation.
3Reliability
If virtual machine updates are performed without snapshots, then updating is faster, but data loss occurs during the update process
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements beforehand cushioning by creating snapshots of the virtual machine state before applying updates. This snapshot acts as a safety cushion that preserves the original state, allowing the system to recover if the update fails or causes issues, thereby ensuring data safety without significantly complicating the update process.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a method and system for automatically updating a virtual machine image of one or more virtual machines of an auto-scaling group. A computing system receives an indication to update a virtual machine image of a plurality of virtual machines in a plurality of auto-scaling groups. Computing system identifies a subset of the plurality of auto-scaling groups that contains a hydration tag. Computing system locates a version of the virtual machine image different from a current version of the virtual machine image. For each auto-scaling group in the subset of auto-scaling groups, computing system clones a launch configuration for the virtual machines in the auto-scaling group. Computing system stores data associated with each auto-scaling group in a remote location. Computing system updates the virtual machine image of the virtual machines in each auto-scaling group with the new version of the virtual machine image.