Backup Service Virtualized Storage Overlay Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current backup infrastructure within overlay networks lacks the ability to replicate data off-site outside of the network, and direct interaction with virtualized workloads is required for application-specific backup and recovery, but this can overload network edge devices and compromise security by increasing network flows.
Innovation Solution
A method where a backup service is presented as a virtualized storage system to a virtual machine through a hypervisor, allowing data to be backed up to a physical storage system outside the overlay network, bypassing edge devices and using a storage virtualization layer instead of a network virtualization layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct interaction with virtualized workloads is implemented for application-specific backup, then backup capability is improved, but network edge devices become overloaded and security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a backup service as an intermediary component that sits between the virtual machine and the backup infrastructure. This backup service receives backup requests from the virtual machine and forwards them to the backup target, eliminating the need for direct interaction between virtualized workloads and backup systems. The backup service acts as a mediator that handles all backup operations centrally, preventing network edge devices from becoming overloaded and maintaining security by isolating virtual machines from direct backup infrastructure access.
2Reliability
If backup data is replicated outside the overlay network, then data safety is improved, but network edge devices and routing infrastructure are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the backup data path from the network virtualization path. By creating a separate backup service layer that operates independently from the overlay network infrastructure, the system enables data replication outside the network while avoiding compounding loads on network edge devices and routing infrastructure. The backup service handles data replication through dedicated storage paths rather than network paths, isolating backup operations from network infrastructure.
3Ease of operation
If backup service is integrated within the overlay network, then ease of operation is improved, but network security and performance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The backup service serves as an intermediary that maintains ease of operation for virtual machines while protecting network security and performance. Virtual machines can access backup functionality through the backup service using simple backup commands, maintaining ease of operation. Meanwhile, the backup service mediates all backup traffic, preventing direct backup operations from compromising network security or performance. The intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of backup operations from virtual machines while isolating them from the underlying network infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product for backing up data from a virtual machine. A backup service is presented by a computer system as a storage system to the virtual machine, wherein the storage system is located outside of the virtual machine. A hypervisor for the virtual machine is instructed by the computer system to present the storage system as a virtualized storage system to the virtual machine. Data is received by the computer system from the hypervisor in which the data is stored on the virtualized storage system by a backup client performing a backup operation in the virtual machine.