Topology-Aware Proxy Virtual Machine Deployment for Backup and Restore
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cloud computing platforms restrict external systems from directly connecting to hosts, hindering data backup and restore operations, and existing solutions are inefficient in deploying proxy virtual machines based on port usage rather than demand.
Innovation Solution
A computer system intelligently deploys proxy virtual machines based on data center topology to optimize backup and restore operations, leaving ports available for on-demand jobs, and manages backup and restore processes using a proxy management system that selects hosts and datastores based on topological information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If proxy virtual machines are deployed to enable external systems to connect to cloud hosts for data backup and restore, then connectivity and data management capability are improved, but system complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces proxy virtual machines as intermediary components that enable external data management systems to connect to cloud hosts indirectly. These proxies act as mediators between external systems and the cloud infrastructure, allowing data backup and restore operations without requiring direct connectivity to the cloud hosts, thus resolving the connectivity restriction while maintaining system architecture integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the data management function by deploying separate proxy virtual machines dedicated to backup and restore operations. This segmentation isolates the complexity of data management from the core cloud computing functions, allowing independent management and optimization of backup operations without affecting the main cloud infrastructure
2Productivity
If proxy virtual machines are deployed to maximize port usage for backup jobs, then backup productivity is improved, but availability for on-demand restore operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic port allocation and management for proxy virtual machines. Instead of static port assignments, the system dynamically assigns ports based on actual job requirements and priorities. This dynamic approach ensures that ports remain available for on-demand restore operations while maximizing utilization during scheduled backup jobs through intelligent port management and reservation mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-allocating and reserving specific ports for restore operations before they are needed. This ensures that when on-demand restore operations are initiated, the required ports are already available, eliminating waiting time and ensuring immediate availability for critical restore operations
3Reliability
If existing cloud platforms restrict external connections to hosts, then security and isolation are improved, but data management flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The proxy virtual machines serve as secure intermediaries that maintain the security and isolation boundaries of the cloud platform while enabling necessary data management operations. External systems connect to these proxies rather than directly to cloud hosts, preserving the security architecture's integrity while achieving data backup and restore capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The proxy virtual machines are designed as multi-functional components that can handle multiple data management operations including backup, restore, and data transfer. This universal design allows a single proxy infrastructure to support various data management needs, providing flexibility without requiring direct external connections to cloud hosts
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for managing proxy virtual machines are disclosed. In some embodiments, a computer system deploys proxy virtual machines on a data center in an intelligent way in order to optimize performance and efficiency for backing up data from and restoring data to the data center, using the topology of the data center to determine how many proxy virtual machines to deploy and on which specific hosts to deploy the proxy virtual machines. Rather than determining the number of proxy virtual machines to deploy based on a maxing out of all of the ports on each proxy virtual machine to handle a planned quantity of backup jobs, the computer system may calculate the number of proxy virtual machines to use based on a rule that ports be left available for un-planned on-demand restore jobs.