Network Cloning for Fast VM Provisioning Without Guest Customization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual machine provisioning techniques are inefficient due to power cycling requirements and guest customization needs for networking stack updates, and applications running on multiple virtual machines require updates to their dependencies.
Innovation Solution
A cloning mechanism that replicates a set of machines with an identical networking stack by preserving network configuration data, allowing for rapid deployment of cloned machines without guest customization, and uses dynamic host configuration protocol to maintain layer 2/3 address mappings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional virtual machine cloning techniques are used, then virtual machines can be provisioned rapidly, but power cycling requirements and guest customization needs cause service interruptions and inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by capturing the networking stack configuration and network state before cloning occurs. This includes saving DHCP bindings, IP address allocations, and network topology information in advance, so that the cloned virtual machine can be provisioned rapidly without requiring power cycling or guest customization, thereby maintaining continuous execution of applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an exact copy of the networking stack and network configuration from the source virtual machine. By copying the DHCP bindings, IP address assignments, and network state information, the cloned VM inherits a fully functional networking configuration that requires no modification, eliminating the need for power cycling and guest customization while maintaining application continuity
2Adaptability or versatility
If networking stack updates are performed in cloned virtual machines, then network configuration can be refreshed, but applications require updates to their dependencies and connection endpoints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the networking stack configuration and network state as separate, manageable data structures that can be independently manipulated. By separating the networking configuration from the application layer, the system can refresh network settings in cloned VMs without requiring applications to be updated, as the extracted network configuration is automatically applied to match the source VM's state
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that monitor network configuration changes and automatically propagate appropriate updates. When the networking stack is refreshed in a cloned VM, the system detects changes in connection endpoints and certificates, and automatically updates application dependencies through feedback loops that ensure consistency without manual intervention
3Reliability
If exact replicas of network elements are created, then service interruptions are reduced, but network configuration management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the management of network configuration data with the virtual machine cloning process itself. By combining the capture of networking stack state, DHCP bindings, and IP address allocations into a single integrated cloning operation, the system creates exact replicas of network elements that ensure service continuity while avoiding the need for separate, complex configuration management procedures
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for cloning a set of one or more applications implemented by a first set of machines connected through a first logical network that defines a virtual private cloud in a set of one or more datacenters. The method instantiates a cloned, second set of machines that is a replicated copy of the first set of machines. The method identifies a set of network configuration data that configures a set of logical forwarding elements (LFEs) of the first logical network. The method uses the identified set of network configuration data to define a cloned, second logical network to connect the cloned, second set of machines.