Bootable Server Image Migration via Deduplication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for migrating servers to a cloud-computing environment lack the ability to effectively migrate applications and incremental changes, often only supporting file-based data migration, which limits the functionality and efficiency of the process.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method involving the creation of a bootable server image, storage on a storage appliance, and migration to a cloud-computing environment, with incremental changes managed through deduplication and stored in a deduplication database, allowing for efficient synchronization and minimization of data transfer over a wide area network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If current file-based data migration methods are used, then data can be migrated to cloud, but application functionality and incremental changes cannot be effectively migrated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemigration functionalityVSAvoiddata completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The migration system segments data into deduplicated data chunks with metadata, separating the data migration process into manageable units that can be tracked and synchronized independently, enabling both file-based and application-based migration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A deduplication database acts as an intermediary between the onsite system and cloud environment, managing deduplicated data chunks and enabling seamless migration of applications and incremental changes while maintaining data integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If complete server images are migrated without deduplication, then all data is transferred, but redundant data increases WAN usage and migration time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidmigration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Deduplication is performed before migration by creating a deduplication database with data chunks and metadata during the pre-migration phase, allowing the system to identify and eliminate redundant data before the actual transfer, thus reducing migration time while ensuring data integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of data representation by breaking down complete server images into deduplicated data chunks with associated metadata, transforming the migration process from transferring entire images to transferring only unique data segments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If incremental changes are tracked during migration, then data consistency is maintained, but additional processing overhead is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata consistencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deduplication database provides feedback mechanisms by tracking data changes during migration and comparing them against the existing deduplicated chunks, enabling automatic synchronization and consistency maintenance without requiring complex manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10514988B2Method and system of migrating applications to a cloud-computing environment

Publication Date: 2019.12.24 PERSISTENT SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for server migration includes the step of providing an onsite system that comprises a server. A storage appliance is provided. The storage appliance is coupled with the onsite system. A bootable server image is created. The bootable server image is stored on the storage appliance. The bootable server image is migrated to a cloud-computing environment using the storage appliance. A version of the bootable server image is generated in the cloud-computing environment.