Cross-VM Application Backup Coordination via Scripted State Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing backup and restore solutions for cross-virtual-machine applications are inefficient as they require application-specific designs and fail to coordinate data across multiple virtual machines, leading to low efficiency in backup and restore operations.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize sets of scripts to coordinate multiple virtual machines into a preparation state, trigger backup or restore agents to manage data, and execute subsequent scripts for completing the backup or restore operations, providing a universal solution for cross-virtual-machine applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If existing backup solutions for single virtual machine or single operating system are applied to cross-virtual-machine application, then the backup process becomes simple, but data coordination among multiple virtual machines cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The backup process is segmented into three distinct phases: preparation phase (executing first set of scripts to coordinate virtual machines), backup phase (triggering backup operation to copy data), and restoration phase (executing second set of scripts to restore virtual machines). This segmentation allows each phase to be independently managed while ensuring data coordination across multiple virtual machines through the preparation and restoration scripts.
2Manufacturing precision
If application-specific backup solution is designed for each application, then backup accuracy is improved, but efficiency of backup and restore operations becomes very low
Solution Approach 1:
A universal backup and restore system is designed that can handle multiple applications across different virtual machines through a common interface. The system uses standardized preparation scripts and restoration scripts that work across different application types, eliminating the need to design separate backup solutions for each application while maintaining backup accuracy through application-specific script configurations.
3Reliability
If coordination scripts are executed to prepare virtual machines for backup, then data coordination is ensured, but backup time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The first set of preparation scripts is executed before the actual backup operation to put virtual machines into a consistent state. These scripts perform preliminary actions such as pausing data synchronization, freezing database transactions, or redirecting data streams, ensuring that the backup captures a consistent snapshot of the application data across all virtual machines without requiring lengthy coordination during the backup itself.
4Reliability
If backup operation is triggered only after preparation scripts complete, then data consistency is maintained, but overall backup process duration is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The backup process is designed to maintain continuous useful action by overlapping preparation, backup, and restoration operations where possible. While preparation scripts are executing on some virtual machines, the backup agent can simultaneously prepare backup storage and pre-process backup data structures. After backup completion is detected, restoration scripts are immediately triggered without idle delays, ensuring data consistency while minimizing total process duration through efficient pipeline management.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus. The method comprises: a method for backing up an application, the application running across multiple virtual machines, the method comprising: in response to a need of backing up the application, executing a first set of scripts that are used for, prior to the backup, coordinating the multiple virtual machines to enter into a preparation state; in response to the first set of scripts being executed completely, triggering a backup operation of at least one backup agent that manages the multiple virtual machines, the backup operation comprising the backup agent locating data related to the application on the respective virtual machines managed thereby; in response to completion of the backup operation, executing a second set of scripts that are used for restoring running of the multiple virtual machines. By virtue of the method and apparatus in the embodiments of the present invention, backup and restore for a cross-virtual-machine application may be performed.