Host Storage for Container Log Persistence
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtualized environments, container logs are often inefficiently managed due to lack of local storage on virtual computing instances (VCIs), which may not have the necessary networking capabilities or memory for remote logging, leading to inefficient resource allocation and potential loss of log data.
Innovation Solution
Redirecting container logs to the underlying host's storage, utilizing a logical logging component and identifiers within the logs to manage and store them efficiently, thereby leveraging the host's existing storage resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If container logs are stored locally on VCIs, then log data persistence is improved, but VCI memory and storage resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the log storage function from the VCI environment and relocates it to the host system. The host's storage resources are utilized to store container logs, freeing up VCI resources while ensuring log persistence. This is achieved through the logging component that redirects logs from containers to host storage locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a logging component as an intermediary between containers and storage. This component receives logs from containers, processes them with identifiers, and stores them on the host system. The intermediary handles the complexity of log management, allowing containers to focus on their primary functions without direct storage management overhead.
2Quantity of substance
If remote logging services are used, then local storage requirements are reduced, but networking capabilities and memory are required
Solution Approach 1:
The host system provides logging services to containers as a self-contained solution. Instead of requiring containers to connect to external remote logging services over the network, the host itself acts as the logging service provider. This eliminates the need for containers to have networking capabilities for remote logging while maintaining log persistence.
3Productivity
If logs are redirected to host storage, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but logging system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The host system's storage infrastructure is used for multiple purposes: running virtual machines, storing container data, and persisting container logs. This multi-functional use of host storage improves resource allocation efficiency by eliminating dedicated storage requirements for logging, while the existing host storage management mechanisms handle the complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A log is received at a user space process of a host from a logical logging component of a virtual computing instance (VCI), the log generated by a container running on the VCI. The log is communicated from the user space process to a logical logging component of the host. The log is communicated from the logical logging component of the host to a logging process of the host. The log is configured and stored in host storage.