Container Image Management via Layer Segmentation and Patching

The patent divides container images into multiple image layers, allowing selective transmission and storage of only the necessary layers. This segmentation enables the system to avoid transmitting entire images when only specific layers are needed, significantly reducing transmission time and resource consumption while maintaining manageable complexity through structured layer organization.

The patent extracts only the necessary image layers from complete container images for transmission and storage. By taking out only the required portions (specific layers) rather than handling entire images, the system reduces the amount of data that needs to be managed, transmitted, and stored, thereby reducing time and resource costs while keeping the management process organized and manageable.

The patent segments container images into reusable image layers that can be independently managed and combined. This segmentation provides fine-grained control over image components, allowing the system to adapt to different management needs by selecting and combining specific layers. The structured approach to segmentation maintains processing manageability through consistent layer organization and identification mechanisms.

The patent creates universal image layers that can serve multiple purposes and be reused across different container images. These layers function as reusable building blocks that can be combined in various ways to create different container images, providing adaptability and versatility. The multi-functional nature of these layers reduces the need to create entirely new images, simplifying processing while enabling fine-grained management.

The patent performs similarity analysis and identifies base portions in advance during the image layer processing stage. By conducting this analysis beforehand, the system establishes a foundation of reusable base layers that can be directly applied to future container image creations without repeating the full analysis process. This preliminary action reduces computational resources needed during subsequent operations while improving storage efficiency through identified reusable components.

The patent creates patch portions as differences from identified base portions, enabling efficient storage and retrieval. Instead of storing complete container images, the system stores base layers once and generates patch portions that represent only the necessary modifications. This copying approach significantly improves storage efficiency by eliminating redundant data while the computational cost is amortized over multiple operations that reuse the same base layers.