Instant VM Restore via Backup Storage Remote Mount
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtual machine restoration methods are time-consuming, especially for high-importance virtual machines, as they require transferring backup data to a production host for storage and computation resources, which is computationally expensive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an instant access virtual machine restoration method where backup data is stored in a backup storage and accessed remotely, utilizing the backup storage's resources for computation and memory, reducing the need for data transfer and leveraging deduplicated storage to minimize resource costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If backup data is transferred to a production host for virtual machine restoration, then the virtual machine can be restored with local computation and memory resources, but the restoration time is significantly increased and computational resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a backup storage system with a file system that acts as an intermediary between the backup data and the virtual machine. This file system provides remote access capabilities, allowing the virtual machine to access backup data directly from the backup storage without transferring it to the production host. The file system translates virtual machine I/O operations into remote storage operations, enabling instant restoration while maintaining local computation performance.
2Use of energy by moving object
If backup data is transferred to a production host, then local computation resources can be utilized, but data transfer time and network bandwidth consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data storage and transfer function from the restoration process. Instead of transferring backup data to the production host, the system allows the virtual machine to access the backup data directly from the backup storage through a remote file system interface. This separation enables the production host to focus on computation while the backup storage handles data provision, eliminating unnecessary data transfer.
3Reliability
If traditional restoration methods are used, then data is stored locally on the production host, but storage space is consumed and restoration speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The backup storage system is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the primary backup repository and a directly accessible storage resource for virtual machines. The file system on the backup storage provides universal access interfaces that allow virtual machines to read and write data directly to the backup storage, eliminating the need for separate local storage on production hosts.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
A production host for hosting virtual machines includes a persistent storage a backup storage client, and a production agent. The persistent storage stores data associated with a portion of the virtual machines. The backup storage client provides access to second data associated with a second portion of the virtual machines stored in a backup storage. The production agent identifies an instant access request for a virtual machine and, in response to identifying the instant access request, generates instant access virtual machine data in the backup storage using a portion of the second data associated with the virtual machine; locally mounts the generated instant access virtual machine data; locally instantiates the virtual machine using the instant access virtual machine data; and executes the instantiated virtual machine using the instant access virtual machine data.