Introspection Daemon for Virtual Machine Migration Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cloud management systems lack the capability for automatic extraction and reporting of virtual machine configuration data at the kernel level, making it inefficient to migrate virtual machines between cloud hosts.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an introspection daemon within virtual machines to generate reports of installed applications and configuration data, which are then processed by a kernel-based virtual machine image manager to create migratable images, enabling seamless migration without additional tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If software applications and tools execute on top of the cloud-based operating system to capture virtual machine images, then the extraction of virtual machine configuration data can be performed, but the process requires additional software layers and manual intervention, increasing system complexity and reducing automation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic extraction and reporting of virtual machine configuration dataVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an introspection daemon within the virtual machine that automatically generates reports of installed applications and configuration data. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external software tools to execute on the cloud-based operating system, as the virtual machine itself performs the data collection and reporting functions, thereby increasing automation while reducing system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the configuration data collection function from the cloud-based operating system layer and relocates it to the kernel level through the introspection daemon. This extraction eliminates the need for additional software layers on top of the operating system, reducing system complexity while maintaining automated data extraction capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If manual tools and software are used to interrogate virtual machines for configuration data, then the data can be obtained, but the process is inefficient and requires additional external tools, reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemigration efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of external tools required

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the configuration data collection, report generation, and virtual machine image creation functions into a single integrated kernel-level process. The introspection daemon and virtual machine image manager work together as unified components within the kernel, eliminating the need for multiple external tools and manual intervention, thereby improving migration efficiency while reducing the number of required tools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the introspection daemon as an intermediary component within the virtual machine that automatically collects configuration data and communicates it to the virtual machine image manager at the kernel level. This intermediary eliminates the need for external interrogation tools, streamlining the data collection process and improving productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If virtual machine migration is performed without kernel-level image generation, then migration can occur, but the process lacks reliability and scalability in cloud-based environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemigration reliabilityVSAvoidkernel-level processing requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by generating complete virtual machine images at the kernel level before migration occurs. The introspection daemon collects all configuration data and the virtual machine image manager creates comprehensive images in advance, ensuring that all necessary data is prepared and validated before the actual migration process, thereby enhancing reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual, tool-based migration processes with an automated kernel-level image generation and migration system. The introspection daemon and virtual machine image manager automate the entire process from data collection to image creation and migration execution, eliminating manual intervention and enhancing both reliability and scalability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11442762B2Systems and methods for introspective application reporting to facilitate virtual machine movement between cloud hosts

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 RED HAT INC

AI summary

A processor from an introspection daemon running on a virtual machine can receive an introspection report comprising configuration state data of the virtual machine. The virtual machine can comprise a guest operating system hosting the introspection daemon. The configuration state data can comprise an execution state of an application running on the guest operating system of the virtual machine. The processor can generate a virtual machine image of the virtual machine in view of the introspection report. The processor can further initiate a migration of the virtual machine to at least one target cloud in view of the virtual machine image.