Backup Server Virtual Image Object for Cloud Disk Creation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In current hybrid cloud backup systems, the process of creating a cloud disk for a virtual machine (VM) is time-consuming due to high input-output operations and increased storage costs, as the backup server needs to read and write data to form an image object on the cloud data center's storage device.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a backup server that virtualizes the virtual image object instead of generating a real image object on the storage device, allowing the block storage server to directly read and write data, thereby eliminating the need for read and write IO operations, and reduces storage costs by saving storage space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the backup server reads the backup replica from the storage device and writes data to form an image object on the storage device, then the cloud disk of the VM can be created, but a lot of time is spent due to large amount of input-output operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual image object that is a logical copy referencing the backup replica data, rather than physically copying all data to form a real image object. The virtual image object contains metadata that maps to the backup replica, enabling direct reading by the block storage server without time-consuming read-write operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual image object acts as an intermediary between the backup replica and the block storage server. It provides a simplified access interface that eliminates the need for the backup server to perform intermediate read-write operations, allowing direct data access from storage device to block storage server.
2Productivity
If the backup server reads the backup replica from the storage device and writes data to form an image object on the storage device, then the cloud disk of the VM can be created, but cloud data center storage costs of the user increase due to using user's storage space
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating a physical copy of the backup replica data as a real image object that consumes additional storage space, the patent creates a virtual image object that is a lightweight reference structure. This virtual copy metadata consumes minimal storage space while providing full access to the backup replica data through direct storage device reading.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for implementing data conversion in a cloud data center, a backup server receives a read request from a block storage server. The read request includes a uniform resource locator (URL) address of a to-be-read virtual image object on the backup server and an address range of target data in the to-be-read virtual image object. The backup server obtains an address mapping bitmap and a storage path of backup data in a backup replica corresponding to the to-be-read virtual image object according to the URL address. Thereafter, the backup server obtains the target data from a storage device according to the address range of the target data and the address mapping bitmap and the storage path. Further, the backup server sends the target data to the block storage server. Hence, the conversion time of a backup data object may be shortened.