Reference Volume Initial Synchronization for Replicated VM Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-availability cluster technologies face inefficiencies in initial synchronization of replicated volumes across different sites, leading to increased network bandwidth usage and synchronization time, especially when replicating virtual machines between separate replication volume groups.
Innovation Solution
The method employs a reference volume for initial synchronization, where a point-in-time snapshot of the parent virtual machine's volume is used to identify and copy common data regions to the secondary site, and then transmits only the differences to synchronize the child virtual machine, reducing network traffic and synchronization time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If common blocks are replicated between different replication volume groups, then data redundancy is improved, but initial synchronization time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the replication process into two phases: first replicating common blocks to a staging area, then using that staging area as a reference for subsequent replication. This segmentation allows the system to handle large amounts of common data efficiently without blocking the entire synchronization process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary replication of common blocks to a staging replication volume group before the actual replication to the target volume group. This preliminary action prepares the reference data in advance, allowing the main replication process to start faster by referencing already-available data.
2Reliability
If common blocks are replicated between different replication volume groups, then data redundancy is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a reference replication volume group that contains copies of common blocks from previously replicated volume groups. Instead of transmitting the same common blocks multiple times across the network, the system copies them once to the reference group and reuses them as a baseline for subsequent replications, dramatically reducing network bandwidth consumption.
3Loss of time
If a reference volume is used for initial synchronization, then synchronization time is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reference replication volume group serves multiple functions: it acts as a storage repository for common blocks, provides a reference baseline for differential replication, and enables faster initial synchronization. This multi-functionality justifies the additional system component by providing benefits across multiple operational aspects.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for using a reference volume for initial synchronization of a replicated volume group. The method includes initiating a replication and synchronization operation between a parent virtual machine and a child virtual machine, and specifying a parent virtual machine to be used for replication and a subsequent synchronization. The method further includes accessing a point in time snapshot of the parent virtual machine, coordinating with a secondary site to obtain an image of the parent reference volume at said point in time, and copying the common regions from a parent reference volume to a new volume. The differences between the parent reference volume and the new volume are transmitted and are applied to the new volume to synchronize the child virtual machine on the secondary site to the child virtual machine on the primary site, wherein the child and the parent may be in different virtual machine groups.