Container Creation with Remote Image Storage to Reduce Node Disk Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing method of creating containers by pulling image files from an image repository and storing them in local storage devices occupies significant local storage space and puts pressure on the image repository, leading to inefficient use of resources.
Innovation Solution
The method involves mounting the directory of an image file to a remote file system on a storage device independent of the node, allowing nodes to obtain the image file from the remote file system instead of the repository, and storing incremental data to reduce storage occupation and data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If image files are stored in local storage devices of nodes, then container creation can be performed independently on each node, but local storage space is significantly occupied and storage resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the storage resources of multiple nodes by introducing a remote storage device that is shared across the network. Instead of each node maintaining separate local storage for image files, all nodes access a common remote storage device through a file system, thereby consolidating storage resources and eliminating duplication while maintaining independent container creation capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each node pulls image files from the image repository independently, then nodes have full control over their image files, but the image repository experiences significant pressure and data exchange volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the first node pull and store the image file in the remote storage device before other nodes need it. Subsequent nodes can directly access the pre-stored image file from the remote storage device without repeating the pull operation from the repository, thereby reducing data exchange volume while maintaining node autonomy through file system access.
3Quantity of substance
If image files are stored remotely instead of locally, then storage space efficiency is improved, but access speed and reliability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a file system as an intermediary layer between nodes and the remote storage device. This file system provides abstraction and management functions that ensure reliable access to image files stored remotely, handling file operations, caching, and error management to maintain access reliability equivalent to or better than direct local storage while achieving superior storage space efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A container creation method, before creating a container, a first node may mount a directory of an image file of the container to a first file system on a remote storage device, and establish an association between the directory of the image file and the first file system. In this case, the image file written by the first node to the directory of the image file is stored in the first file system. The remote storage device is a storage device independent of the first node. When the first node needs to create the container, the first node first obtains the image file from the first file system, and creates the first container based on the image file. The directory of the image file of the container on the first node can be mounted to the first file system on the remote storage device.