Delta Volume Application Version Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing different versions of applications in virtual desktop environments is cumbersome and inefficient, as existing methods require separate application volumes or excessive data storage for each version, complicating administration and resource management.
Innovation Solution
The use of delta volumes, which store differencing data between application versions, allows for efficient updating and downgrading of applications by attaching additional storage volumes to virtual machines, prioritizing delta volume data over base volumes, thus enabling multiple versions to be managed without redundant storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate application volumes are used for different application versions, then version management becomes possible, but storage space consumption increases and administrative complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested volume structure where delta volumes are contained within base application volumes. Each delta volume stores only the differences from its parent version, creating a compact nested hierarchy. This allows multiple application versions to coexist in a space-efficient manner, with each version accessible by combining its delta volume with the base volume, thereby reducing total storage requirements while maintaining version management capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple volume types (base volumes and delta volumes) into a unified application version delivery mechanism. By combining the base application volume with appropriate delta volumes, the system presents a complete application version to users without requiring separate full copies of each version, thus reducing storage consumption while enabling comprehensive version management
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate application volumes are used for different application versions, then version management becomes possible, but administrative complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an application attach service as an intermediary component that automatically manages the complex tasks of version deployment. This service handles delta volume generation, attachment to virtual machines, and version updates without requiring manual administrative intervention for each operation, thereby reducing administrative complexity while maintaining comprehensive version management capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service mechanisms where the application attach service automatically performs version management operations including generating delta volumes, attaching appropriate volumes to virtual machines, and updating applications. This automation eliminates the need for administrators to manually manage each version, significantly reducing administrative complexity while enabling flexible version control
3Adaptability or versatility
If entire applications are re-installed for version updates, then version updates become possible, but update time and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the differential portions of application updates into separate delta volumes, rather than redistributing entire application packages. This extraction approach allows the system to transmit and apply only the necessary changes (new files, modified files, deleted files) between versions, dramatically reducing update time and improving productivity while maintaining full version update capability
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems, methods, and software to enhance the management of different versions of an application for a computing environment. In one implementation, a computing environment may identify a request to update an application from a first version to a second version on a virtual machine. In response to the request, one or more storage volumes may be identified that are associated with the second version of the application, wherein the one or more additional storage volumes comprise one or more delta volumes Once the one or more storage volumes are identified, the computing environment may attach the one or more storage volumes to the virtual machine to make the second version of the application executable on the virtual machine.