External Virtual Machine Synchronization for Rapid System Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data management systems face challenges in ensuring continuous data accessibility and minimizing downtime when computing systems become inaccessible, particularly for non-technical users who lack the expertise to repair or configure new systems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a fallback system by replicating user computing systems at an external resource system, such as a cloud-based storage system, which includes replicating data, applications, and configurations, allowing for rapid provisioning of new systems and minimizing data loss through synchronization with a virtual machine at the external resource system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is backed up to external storage systems, then data security and availability are improved, but access time and system recovery speed are worsened due to the time required to provision and configure new computing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-provisioning virtual machine instances at external cloud storage locations before they are needed. When a computing system becomes inaccessible, these pre-provisioned virtual machines can be activated immediately without requiring time-consuming provisioning and configuration, thus reducing system recovery time while maintaining data availability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating virtual machine instances that replicate the functionality and data of the original computing system at external cloud storage locations. These copied virtual machines serve as immediate fallback systems when the primary system becomes inaccessible, eliminating the need to provision and configure new systems from scratch
2Adaptability or versatility
If fallback systems are implemented at external cloud storage locations, then system accessibility is improved, but system complexity and configuration requirements are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling non-technical users to automatically access and use fallback virtual machine instances at external cloud storage locations without requiring IT administrator intervention. The system automatically provisions and configures these virtual machines, allowing users to continue working even when the primary computing system is inaccessible
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by creating virtual machine instances that can serve multiple purposes: they function as backup systems, fallback systems, and immediate replacement systems. These virtual machines at external cloud storage locations provide universal access to users regardless of the failure mode or location of the primary system
3Productivity
If virtual machine instances are pre-provisioned at external locations, then system recovery speed is improved, but data synchronization overhead and resource consumption are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by continuously synchronizing data between the primary computing system and pre-provisioned virtual machine instances at external cloud storage locations. This continuous synchronization ensures that the fallback systems are always up-to-date without requiring intensive batch processing, thus maintaining fast recovery speeds while distributing the synchronization load over time
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein include systems and processes for replicating one or more user computing systems of an information management system at an external resource system to create a backup or fallback of the user computing systems. Replicating the user computing systems may include replicating data as well as the applications, operating systems and configuration of the user computing systems. This replicated or fallback user computing system may be implemented on a virtual machine at the external resource system. Thus, if a user computing system becomes inaccessible, a new user computing system can be generated based on the backup copy of the user computing system at the external resource system. Further, in some embodiments, the copy of the user computing system may be interacted with at the external resource system. Thus, certain embodiments disclosed herein can be used to transition an information management system to an external resource system.