Hyper-V Virtual Machine Proxy Server for Cluster Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows Server 2012, provide functionality for backing up data on local or remote nodes but lack the ability to recover data from remote nodes, which is essential for efficient data management in clustered environments.
Innovation Solution
A proxy server architecture that enables backup and recovery operations across a cluster environment by leveraging existing Microsoft Windows Server 2012 infrastructure, including VSS, CSV Shadow Copy Provider, and SMB3 protocol, allowing a single node to manage backup and restore operations on behalf of multiple remote nodes, minimizing workload impact and eliminating the need for dedicated backup software on each node.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If backup software is installed on each node in the cluster, then each node can independently perform backup operations, but the device complexity and installation requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a proxy server as an intermediary component that centralizes backup and recovery operations. Instead of installing backup software on each cluster node, the proxy server acts as a mediator that receives backup requests from nodes and performs the actual backup operations, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining backup reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The proxy server is designed to perform multiple functions including backup, recovery, and data management operations for the entire cluster. This universal approach allows a single server to handle backup tasks for multiple nodes, eliminating the need for dedicated backup software on each node while maintaining comprehensive backup coverage
2Adaptability or versatility
If backup operations are performed directly on remote nodes, then data can be backed up from any location in the cluster, but the workload on individual nodes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The proxy server serves as an intermediary that handles backup operations for remote nodes. When a backup request is initiated, the proxy server mediates the process by establishing connections to remote nodes, performing snapshot operations, and managing data transfer, thereby maintaining remote backup capability while preventing workload accumulation on individual nodes
Solution Approach 2:
The backup operation is segmented into distinct phases: request initiation on the client node, snapshot creation by the proxy server, and data transfer to storage. This segmentation allows the heavy computational workload to be separated from the client nodes and concentrated on the proxy server, maintaining versatility while protecting node productivity
3Reliability
If dedicated backup hardware is deployed for each node, then backup reliability is improved, but the cost and hardware requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges backup resources by consolidating backup functionality into a shared proxy server that serves the entire cluster. Instead of deploying dedicated backup hardware for each node, the proxy server combines storage resources, processing power, and backup software into a single shared infrastructure, thereby maintaining backup reliability while reducing the total quantity of hardware resources required
Solution Approach 2:
The proxy server is designed as a universal platform that can back up data from any node in the cluster using shared storage resources. This multi-functional approach allows a single hardware platform to perform backup operations for multiple nodes, eliminating the need for redundant hardware while maintaining reliable backup capabilities through centralized resource management
Data Source
AI summary
A snapshot of a remote virtual machine within a cluster of nodes is taken by using an image writer with a snapshot provider. A set of backup components is recorded by using a cluster interface. The remote virtual machine is reconstructed by using the snapshot and a framework with the set of backup components.