Remote VM Maintenance via Centralized Optimization Framework
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual machine (VM) maintenance technologies face challenges such as performance degradation due to file fragmentation and obsolete entries, require frequent updates, and are hindered by security measures and inability to perform maintenance on offline VMs, leading to inefficient and insecure maintenance processes.
Innovation Solution
An optimization framework and server that provides a centralized infrastructure for VM maintenance, allowing maintenance operations to be executed without installing agents within the VM, enabling offline maintenance and secure, scalable performance optimization across multiple VMs and host devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If maintenance programs execute maintenance tasks from within the target VM, then maintenance can be performed on the VM, but the user must keep the maintenance tool updated on each VM and cannot perform maintenance on offline VMs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote maintenance server as an intermediary that hosts the maintenance application externally. Instead of installing maintenance tools within each target VM, the server acts as a mediator to provide maintenance services to multiple VMs centrally. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need to update maintenance tools on each individual VM while still enabling maintenance operations on both online and offline VMs through the external server infrastructure.
2Productivity
If remote maintenance uses TCP/IP and circumvents security measures, then maintenance can be performed on VMs, but the security of the VM and host computing device is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The remote maintenance server serves as a trusted intermediary that mediates between the maintenance application and the target VM. Instead of directly circumventing security measures, the server establishes secure communication channels and uses authorized methods (such as virtual disk mounting and framework agents) to perform maintenance tasks. This approach maintains system security while enabling comprehensive maintenance capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The maintenance application on the remote server performs self-service operations by mounting virtual disks and executing maintenance tasks without requiring direct access to or modification of the target VM's security configurations. The target VM's security measures remain intact while the maintenance operations are performed through authorized external access mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If agents are installed within VMs for remote maintenance, then maintenance can be performed across network domains, but the agents need to be periodically updated with software patches
Solution Approach 1:
The remote maintenance server acts as a centralized intermediary that eliminates the need for distributed agents within each VM. The server performs all maintenance operations externally by mounting virtual disks and executing maintenance applications, thereby achieving cross-network domain maintenance capability without requiring any software to be installed or updated within the target VMs.
Solution Approach 2:
The maintenance functionality is extracted from the target VMs and relocated to an external remote maintenance server. By taking out the maintenance application from the VM environment, the system eliminates the need for agent updates while maintaining the ability to perform maintenance across different network domains through the external server's access capabilities.
4Reliability
If maintenance is performed individually on each VM, then maintenance tasks can be executed on the VM, but the maintenance frequency may not be optimal and other VMs may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual VM maintenance operations into a single centralized maintenance operation performed on the remote server. By combining the maintenance functionality into one location, the system can efficiently manage maintenance schedules and execute tasks across multiple VMs simultaneously or in sequence, improving overall maintenance productivity while ensuring reliable maintenance task execution through the centralized control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote maintenance server provides universal maintenance capabilities that can service multiple different VMs with a single maintenance application instance. This multi-functional approach allows the system to perform maintenance on various VMs across different network domains using the same server infrastructure, thereby improving maintenance efficiency without compromising the reliability of individual maintenance tasks.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments provide a system for executing a maintenance operation on a virtual machine (VM). The system includes a host computing device including a first VM and a second VM, a maintenance application installed within the first VM, and an optimization framework providing an interface to the maintenance application. The system also includes an optimization server coupled to the maintenance application through the optimization framework. The optimization server is configured to select a maintenance operation to execute on the second VM and command the maintenance application to execute the maintenance operation on the second VM.