Network Cloning for Virtual Machine Provisioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for rapid provisioning of virtual machines, such as link clones and instant clones, are inefficient due to power cycling requirements and guest customization needs for networking stack updates, which can disrupt application continuity and require updates to dependencies.
Innovation Solution
A cloning mechanism that replicates a set of machines with an identical networking stack, using identified network configuration data to create a cloned logical network, preserving layer 2/layer 3 address mappings and eliminating the need for guest customization, allowing for rapid deployment and continuous execution of applications without service interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power cycling is performed for cloned virtual machines, then networking stack updates are achieved, but application continuity is disrupted and provisioning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the networking stack in the parent virtual machine before cloning. The networking stack including IP addresses, MAC addresses, and network configuration files are prepared in advance and automatically inherited by the cloned virtual machines, eliminating the need for post-cloning power cycling and guest customization operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating virtual machine clones that replicate the parent VM's networking stack configuration. The cloned VMs receive exact copies of network configuration files, IP address assignments, and MAC address mappings, allowing them to inherit functional networking capabilities without requiring reconfiguration or power cycling.
2Reliability
If guest customization is performed to refresh the networking stack, then networking updates are achieved, but application execution is interrupted and configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying to replicate the parent virtual machine's networking stack configuration files, IP address assignments, and network interface settings directly to the cloned virtual machines. This copying approach eliminates the need for complex guest customization operations, as the cloned VMs inherit ready-to-use network configurations that match the parent VM's operational state.
3Adaptability or versatility
If applications are updated to adapt to new networking stack, then compatibility is improved, but update time and resource overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by ensuring the parent virtual machine's networking stack is fully configured and stable before initiating the cloning process. This preliminary preparation ensures that cloned applications inherit a proven, compatible networking environment, eliminating the need for subsequent application updates or compatibility adjustments in the cloned VMs.
4Stability of the object's composition
If dependencies are updated across multiple virtual machines, then system consistency is improved, but provisioning efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying to replicate the entire system state including application dependencies, configuration files, and networking stack settings from the parent virtual machine to the cloned virtual machines. This comprehensive copying ensures that all dependencies remain consistent across the VM family while maintaining high provisioning efficiency, as the consistency is achieved through replication rather than iterative updates across multiple machines.
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 (VPC) in a set of one or more datacenters. The method detects that the first logical network does not have sufficient resources to process a set of network traffic destined for the set of one or more applications implemented by the first set of machines. Based on said detecting, the method uses a set of network configuration data that configures a set of logical forwarding elements (LFEs) of the first logical network to define a cloned, second logical network for connecting a cloned, second set of machines that implement a second set of one or more applications. The method uses the cloned, second logical network to process at least a subset of the network traffic destined to the set of applications.