Virtual Data Service Appliance for Hypervisor-Level Replication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional replication and disaster recovery systems are not fully virtualization-aware, leading to operational and administrative burdens and inflexibility in virtual server environments, as they are typically implemented at the physical disk level rather than the hypervisor level.
Innovation Solution
A dedicated virtual data service appliance (VDSA) is implemented within the hypervisor, which includes a tapping driver that intercepts and processes I/O requests, providing data services such as replication, monitoring, and quality of service, and coordinates with multiple hypervisors for scalable and secure cloud-based data services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional replication systems are implemented at the physical disk level, then hardware compatibility is improved, but virtualization awareness and operational flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtualization layer as an intermediary between the physical disk level and the virtual server level. This layer includes virtualization-aware replication software that can intercept, monitor, and manage data replication operations at the virtual disk level, thereby providing virtualization awareness without requiring changes to the underlying physical hardware or replication infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the replication operation from a single-dimensional physical disk level to a multi-dimensional approach that includes virtual disk level, virtualization layer, and physical disk level. This dimensional shift allows replication to be managed at the virtualization layer while still leveraging physical disk infrastructure, thereby improving virtualization awareness without proportionally increasing operational complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If data services are provided at the physical disk level, then system simplicity is improved, but service flexibility and security deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data services into distinct functional modules operating at different levels: virtualization-aware replication software at the virtualization layer, virtual disk management components, and physical disk interface components. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently for its specific function, improving service flexibility while managing system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal virtualization layer that can provide multiple data services (replication, backup, security, monitoring) through a single integrated platform. This multi-functional approach allows the system to deliver diverse services with flexible configuration without requiring separate complex systems for each service type.
3Ease of operation
If virtualization-aware data services are implemented, then operational flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service capabilities within the virtualization layer, where the virtualization-aware replication software automatically discovers virtual disk configurations, monitors data operations, and manages replication parameters without requiring manual intervention. This automation provides operational flexibility while masking system complexity from end users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the virtualization layer continuously monitors virtual disk operations, replication status, and system performance, then automatically adjusts replication parameters and resource allocation based on this feedback. This closed-loop control provides operational flexibility while managing complexity through adaptive, data-driven decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for cloud-based data services for multiple enterprises, including a plurality of cloud hypervisors that cooperatively provide cloud-based services to multiple enterprises, each hypervisor including a plurality of cloud virtual servers, each cloud virtual server being associated with an enterprise, at least one cloud virtual disk that is read from and written to by the at least one virtual server, each cloud virtual disk being associated with an enterprise, and a virtual data services appliance, which provides cloud-based data services, and multiple data services managers, one data services manager per respective enterprise, each of which coordinates the respective virtual data services appliances for those cloud hypervisors that service its corresponding enterprise.