Helper VM Backup Remediation During Network Disruption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Backup operations for virtual machines are disrupted by network connectivity issues between the host and backup storage systems, leading to inefficiencies in resource utilization and prolonged backup times.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that detect network disruptions during backup operations, utilizing a helper virtual machine on a second host to temporarily store snapshot data in persistent memory, allowing the backup to continue and consolidate the data once connectivity is restored.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a backup operation is performed over the network, then the backup storage system can store VM data, but network disruptions cause backup failures and prolonged backup times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup operation reliabilityVSAvoidbackup completion time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a helper VM as an intermediary component between the production host and backup storage system. The helper VM captures snapshot data locally and stores it in persistent memory, acting as a buffer that decouples the backup operation from network dependencies. This allows the backup process to continue uninterrupted even when network connectivity is lost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by capturing snapshot data in the helper VM's persistent memory before network transmission is attempted. This preliminary local storage ensures that data is secured even if the network connection fails during the backup process, eliminating the need to wait for network availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If backup operations wait for network connectivity, then data integrity is maintained, but backup productivity decreases due to interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup operation speedVSAvoiddata integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The backup operation is segmented into two independent phases: (1) local snapshot capture and storage in the helper VM's persistent memory, and (2) subsequent network transmission to the backup storage system. This segmentation allows the first phase to complete independently without waiting for network availability, improving productivity while maintaining data integrity through the persistent memory storage mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Quantity of substance

If computing resources are used for backup operations, then data is backed up, but overall system performance degrades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup data volumeVSAvoidsystem performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The helper VM performs backup operations using its own dedicated persistent memory resources, serving itself rather than consuming the production host's computing resources. The snapshot capture and local storage operations are handled autonomously by the helper VM, allowing the production system to maintain full performance while the backup proceeds in parallel using separate resource pools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10936429B2System and method for a fast backup operation remediation during a network disruption using a helper virtual machine

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

A method for performing backup operations includes, while performing a backup operation for a virtual machine (VM), detecting a network disruption between a host and a backup storage system, wherein the VM is executing on the host, and, in response to the detection, storing a portion of snapshot of the VM using a helper VM executing on a second host.