Link Layer Package Hashing for Cloud Runtime Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for updating runtime environments in cloud environments require significant time and network bandwidth due to the need to transfer large amounts of data, as they often involve transferring entire images or layers, which is inefficient and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a link layer system that references packages with unique hashes, allowing only updated packages to be transferred, reducing the amount of data needed to be transferred and improving efficiency by using a shared repository and local caching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods transfer entire images or layers for runtime environment updates, then the runtime environment is fully updated, but the time and network bandwidth required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The runtime environment is divided into discrete packages, each with a unique hash. Instead of transferring entire images or layers, the system identifies and transfers only the specific packages that need updating, significantly reducing the amount of data transferred while ensuring complete updates of required components
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the necessary updated packages from the runtime environment based on comparison between current and target states. By using package hashes to identify differences, the system extracts and transfers only the minimal required updates rather than redundant data
2Reliability
If conventional methods transfer entire images or layers for runtime environment updates, then the runtime environment is fully updated, but the network bandwidth required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The runtime environment is segmented into individual packages with unique hashes. This segmentation enables the system to transfer only the specific packages that require updating, dramatically reducing the volume of data transmitted over the network while maintaining update completeness
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of transferring entire images or layers, the system uses package hashes to identify and transfer only the necessary package updates. This selective copying approach minimizes network bandwidth consumption while ensuring that all required updates are applied
3Adaptability or versatility
If package updates are obtained from remote repositories, then the latest updates are available, but the time and network resources increase compared to local caching
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by caching packages locally before they are needed for updates. This advance preparation allows the system to quickly retrieve and apply updates from local storage when needed, reducing update time and network resource consumption during actual update operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a local cache as an intermediary between remote repositories and the runtime environment. This intermediary stores packages locally, allowing the system to obtain updates from fast local storage when available, while still maintaining the ability to fetch latest updates from remote repositories when needed
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a computer to update a runtime environment of an application of the computer via a communications network, wherein a filesystem of the runtime environment comprises one or more layers, wherein at least one layer of the one or more layers comprises a link layer formed by a plurality of packages and wherein the link layer comprises symbolic links indicative of the packages forming an updated layer. The method comprising receiving, from a user device or from a scheduling unit, a first signal indicative of a command to use the updated layer of the one or more layers, obtaining the updated layer, obtaining packages forming the updated layer, from a local cache or from a shared storage or from an image repository node, and updating the runtime environment by replacing a layer of the one or more layers with the updated layer using the obtained packages.