Management Computer Clone Generation Method for Storage Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
When generating a clone of a virtual machine (VM) with a WSS function, the existing method requires recreating the VM from a golden image and differential data, leading to inefficient capacity usage and high costs due to the need for full cloning, even when only differential data changes are involved.
Innovation Solution
A management computer determines the appropriate clone generation method based on storage system configuration and performance, selecting between differential cloning and full cloning to optimize storage capacity usage, by instructing the storage system to either copy only differential data or recreate the VM from a golden image and differential data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If differential cloning is used to generate a clone of a VM with WSS function, then storage capacity efficiency is improved, but the clone cannot be properly generated because the storage system lacks the capability to handle differential data from golden images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic selection between two clone generation methods (differential cloning and full cloning) based on the capabilities of the storage system. The management computer determines whether the storage system supports differential data copying, and automatically selects the appropriate cloning method, making the system adaptable to different storage environments and ensuring both efficiency and reliability.
2Reliability
If full cloning is used to generate a clone of a VM, then the clone can be properly generated with complete data integrity, but storage capacity is wasted due to duplicating identical data from the golden image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary differential data (changes from the golden image) for cloning purposes, rather than copying the entire golden image again. By identifying and copying only the modified portions, the system achieves efficient storage capacity usage while maintaining data integrity through proper differential data handling.
3Speed
If the storage system automatically performs cloning without management computer intervention, then cloning speed is improved, but the system cannot select the optimal cloning method based on storage configuration and performance
Solution Approach 1:
The management computer serves as an intermediary between the user and the storage system for clone generation. It evaluates the storage system's capabilities and configuration, selects the appropriate cloning method, and then issues the corresponding instruction to the storage system. This intermediary role enables both fast automatic execution and intelligent method selection.
4Quantity of substance
If differential cloning is instructed from the management computer, then storage capacity efficiency is improved, but cloning time increases due to the complexity of managing differential data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical differential data management operations with a simplified instruction-based approach. The management computer issues a single differential cloning instruction, and the storage system's controller handles the complex differential data processing internally, substituting manual or complex procedural operations with an automated system that manages the complexity internally while presenting a simple interface.
Data Source
AI summary
The management computer includes a memory and a processor. The processor recognizes a state of a storage system that provides a first volume as a logical volume that stores a first image of an object. The processor generates a second volume as a virtual logical volume that stores a second image of the object. The processor selects, based on the state, one generation processing from a plurality of generation processing including: first generation processing of associating the second volume with the first image and differential data from the first image to provide the second volume; and second generation processing of generating the second volume as a logical volume and copying the first image to the second volume to provide the second volume. The processor transmits an instruction to execute the selected generation processing to the storage system.