Hypervisor Snapshot Management via Storage Controller Intermediary

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for maintaining application consistent snapshots in virtualization environments are inefficient due to the need for multiple backup agent types for different VMs, leading to increased overhead and complexity, especially since hypervisors are not optimized for snapshot management.

Innovation Solution

Leveraging the built-in functionality of the hypervisor to create and maintain storage-controller specific application consistent snapshots, eliminating the need for multiple backup agent types and optimizing snapshot management by using the storage controller's capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a third party backup server employs backup agents to maintain application consistent snapshots, then application consistent snapshots can be properly maintained, but the device complexity and overhead increase due to the need for multiple backup agent types for different VM types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication consistent snapshot maintenanceVSAvoidbackup agent types

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hypervisor is enhanced with universal snapshot management capabilities that can handle application consistent snapshots for all VM types through a single interface. The hypervisor's snapshot module communicates with the storage controller to create and manage snapshots, eliminating the need for multiple specialized backup agents while maintaining reliability across different operating systems and VM configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The storage controller acts as an intermediary between the hypervisor and the snapshot data. The hypervisor's snapshot module sends snapshot requests to the storage controller, which then handles the actual snapshot creation and management. This intermediary approach allows the system to maintain application consistent snapshots without requiring complex backup agents in each VM, as the storage controller centralizes the snapshot management functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple backup agent types are deployed for different VM types, then application consistent snapshots can be maintained for various operating systems, but the ease of operation and deployment become cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnapshot compatibility across OSVSAvoidbackup agent deployment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hypervisor provides a universal snapshot interface that works across all VM types and operating systems. Instead of deploying different backup agents for different OS, the hypervisor's snapshot module communicates with the storage controller using a standardized protocol, allowing single deployment of snapshot management functionality that adapts to all VM types automatically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The storage controller provides self-service snapshot management capabilities that eliminate the need for external backup agents. The storage controller can autonomously handle snapshot creation, storage, and management based on requests from the hypervisor, reducing operational complexity while maintaining compatibility across different operating systems and VM configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the hypervisor manages snapshots directly, then snapshot creation is simplified, but the hypervisor efficiency decreases as it is not optimized for snapshot management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnapshot management structureVSAvoidhypervisor efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The snapshot management functionality is segmented into two parts: the hypervisor's snapshot module handles snapshot initiation and coordination, while the storage controller handles the actual snapshot creation and data management. This segmentation allows the hypervisor to maintain simplified snapshot management structure while delegating the computationally intensive snapshot operations to the storage controller, preserving hypervisor efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The storage controller serves as an intermediary that handles the computationally intensive snapshot management tasks. The hypervisor's snapshot module communicates snapshot requests to the storage controller, which then performs the actual snapshot operations. This intermediary approach simplifies the hypervisor's role while maintaining high efficiency, as the storage controller is optimized for data management operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9665386B2Method for leveraging hypervisor functionality for maintaining application consistent snapshots in a virtualization environment

Publication Date: 2017.05.30 NUTANIX INC

AI summary

A method for leveraging hypervisor functionality for maintaining application consistent snapshots in a virtualization environment deployed by the hypervisor includes utilizing the hypervisor to generate a hypervisor-specific application consistent snapshot of a virtual machine running in the virtualization environment, taking a storage controller specific application consistent snapshot of the hypervisor-specific application consistent snapshot of the virtual machine, and logically deleting the hypervisor-specific application consistent snapshot.