Host-Based Replication Manager for Virtual Computing Instance Snapshots
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for managing and replicating virtual computing instances (VCIs) in software-defined data centers lack efficient mechanisms for scheduling and recovering snapshots across dissimilar storage systems, leading to potential data loss and inefficiencies in resource management.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a host-based replication manager (HBR manager) that orchestrates the replication and recovery of VCIs by selecting appropriate agents for snapshot replication, managing scheduling, and organizing snapshots in cascaded or fan-out relationships, ensuring data integrity and availability across different storage locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current systems manage and replicate VCIs without efficient snapshot scheduling mechanisms, then basic VCI replication can be performed, but data loss occurs and resource management efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by scheduling snapshot replication before failures occur. The HBR manager proactively manages snapshot series replication between source and target storage systems, ensuring data is captured and replicated at predetermined intervals before any potential VCI failure, thereby preventing data loss rather than reacting after it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The HBR manager acts as an intermediary between the VCI, source storage system, and target storage system. It coordinates the snapshot replication process, managing the series of snapshots and their replication across dissimilar storage systems, thereby ensuring data integrity and preventing data loss through centralized control.
2Productivity
If current systems replicate VCIs across dissimilar storage systems without efficient scheduling, then basic replication can occur, but resource management efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The HBR manager provides universal functionality by managing snapshot series replication across dissimilar storage systems through a single centralized interface. It handles multiple VCIs, multiple storage systems, and various replication scenarios (sequential and parallel workflows) through unified scheduling mechanisms, thereby improving resource management efficiency despite storage system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by implementing configurable snapshot intervals, retention policies, and replication schedules. The HBR manager allows dynamic adjustment of snapshot frequency, retention duration, and replication timing parameters to optimize resource management efficiency based on specific workload requirements and storage system capabilities.
3Reliability
If snapshot replication is performed without organized workflows, then basic data copying can occur, but data loss increases and recovery efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the replication process into organized workflows with distinct sequential and parallel paths. Snapshot series are divided into manageable units that can be replicated independently through defined workflows, enabling efficient recovery by selecting specific snapshot series based on failure scenarios, thereby reducing recovery time while maintaining data availability.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple snapshot series are replicated in advance through predefined workflows before failures occur. The system prepares parallel replication paths and maintains multiple copies of critical data series, enabling immediate recovery operations without waiting for ad-hoc replication, thereby reducing recovery time while ensuring data availability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is related to methods, systems, and machine-readable media for workflows for series of snapshots. A server can manage replication of a number of series of snapshots of a virtual computing instance (VCI). An on-host agent can replicate a parent series of the number of series of snapshots to at least one child series of the number of series of snapshots. The parent series can precede the at least one child series in the number of series of snapshots. A change in the parent series can be propagated to the child series. Management of the replication of the numbers of series of snapshots can be switched from the server to a different server.