VDI Linked Clone Replication with Base File Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data protection systems face challenges in efficiently replicating virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) data, particularly in determining if a volume is a linked clone and ensuring the base file exists at the replication site, which can lead to data inconsistencies and recovery issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus to determine if a selected volume is a linked clone, generate the base file at the replication site if it does not exist, and replicate VDI data, ensuring data consistency and availability for disaster recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional data protection systems replicate VDI data without checking for linked clones and base files, then replication speed is maintained, but data consistency and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of linked clones and verification of base file existence before initiating replication. This advance checking prevents data inconsistency issues during replication, resolving the contradiction by ensuring reliability through preparatory validation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary validation layer that checks for linked clone status and base file availability between the source and target replication systems. This intermediary step acts as a mediator to ensure data consistency without requiring complete system redesign.
2Reliability
If the system generates base files at replication site for all linked clones, then data availability is improved, but storage resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by generating base files selectively at the replication site only for linked clones that require them, rather than universally for all volumes. This targeted approach ensures data availability where needed while conserving storage resources elsewhere.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying to create base files at the replication site only when necessary for linked clone recovery. Instead of duplicating all base files, the system copies only the specific base files required for restoring linked clones, optimizing storage resource utilization.
3Manufacturing precision
If the system detects and handles linked clones during replication, then manufacturing precision of data replication is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical detection mechanisms with metadata-based identification of linked clones. By using file system metadata and volume information to identify linked clones rather than deep structural analysis, the system achieves high replication accuracy with minimal processing time overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a method includes determining whether a volume selected for replication is a linked clone, determining if a base file associated with the linked clone exists at a replication site and generating the base file associated with the linked clone at the replication site if a base file does not exist at the replication site.