LUN Level Snapshot Backup for Virtual Machine Host Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for backing up virtual machines impact the performance of the ESXi server and underlying host server due to the need for taking and rolling back VMFS snapshots, which affects system efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the creation of a backup shadow virtual machine, taking a storage array LUN level snapshot, mounting the snapshot to a physical backup proxy server, and using vStorage APIs for off-host backup, thereby reducing the burden on the hypervisor and minimizing performance impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If VMFS snapshots are taken and rolled back for virtual machine backups, then backup functionality is achieved, but server performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a storage array LUN level snapshot as an intermediary mechanism between the virtual machine and the backup process. Instead of taking VMFS snapshots at the host server level, the system creates snapshots at the storage array level, which acts as a mediator that isolates the backup operations from the host server's file system operations. This eliminates the performance impact on the ESXi server while maintaining backup functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the snapshot creation and backup operations from the host server environment and relocates them to the storage array level. By taking the snapshot function out of the VMFS file system layer and placing it at the LUN level in the storage array, the system separates the backup workload from the host server, thereby improving server performance while preserving backup capabilities.
2Productivity
If LUN level snapshots are used instead of VMFS snapshots, then server performance is maintained, but backup complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the storage array's native snapshot copying capability to create point-in-time copies of LUNs without requiring complex backup software interventions. The storage array automatically handles the snapshot creation and management, simplifying the overall process despite the lower-level operation. The backup proxy server then mounts these snapshots for backup operations, leveraging the array's built-in copy functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage array performs self-service by automatically creating and managing LUN level snapshots without requiring host server intervention or complex backup software control. The array's firmware or embedded software handles the snapshot lifecycle, reducing the complexity burden on the backup infrastructure while maintaining high server performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided to back up a virtual machine running on a physical host server. The virtual machine has a virtual disk stored on a logical disk (LUN) in a storage array. The method includes creating a backup shadow virtual machine, taking a storage array LUN level snapshot of the LUN, mounting a copy of the virtual disk in the snapshot LUN to the backup shadow virtual machine, mounting the snapshot LUN to a physical backup proxy server, and un-mounting the snapshot LUN from the backup proxy server and the copy of the virtual disk from the backup shadow virtual machine after the backup proxy server backs up the virtual machine to one or more backup storage units.