Virtual Group Management for Simultaneous VM Operations

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Managing virtual computers in a virtual environment is inefficient due to the need to repeatedly perform operations on multiple virtual machines, which can be time-consuming and error-prone, especially when changes or software installations are required across a large number of machines.

Innovation Solution

A method for creating virtual groups based on shared characteristics, allowing for manual or automatic grouping of virtual machines, and enabling actions to be performed on these groups while maintaining consistency through resource indexing, action creation, and dynamic dependency management, with features like roll-back and group consistency checking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If operations are performed on multiple virtual machines individually, then flexibility and precision are maintained, but time consumption and operational complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple virtual machines into virtual groups based on shared characteristics, allowing operations to be performed on groups rather than individually. This combining approach enables simultaneous actions on multiple VMs, directly addressing the time consumption issue while maintaining operational precision through group-based management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements universal group operations that can be applied across different virtual machines simultaneously. The management platform provides multi-functional capabilities to perform actions on entire groups of VMs, enhancing productivity without sacrificing the ability to perform precise operations where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If manual operations are performed on each virtual machine, then operational control is maintained, but error rates increase and complexity grows

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational consistencyVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms through dependency tracking and consistency checking. The system monitors the state of virtual machines and adjusts operations accordingly, ensuring reliable outcomes while reducing manual complexity through automated feedback loops that maintain operational consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The management platform acts as an intermediary between administrators and virtual machines. It provides a simplified interface for group operations while handling the complexity of individual VM management automatically, thereby reducing operational complexity without sacrificing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If virtual machines are grouped by shared characteristics, then operational efficiency improves, but consistency maintenance becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidgroup consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic group management where virtual groups can be automatically formed and reformed based on changing characteristics of virtual machines. The system dynamically adjusts group memberships to maintain consistency while enabling efficient group operations, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms to continuously monitor virtual machine characteristics and adjust group compositions accordingly. This ensures that groups remain consistent with their defining characteristics while maintaining the efficiency benefits of group-based operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If actions are performed simultaneously on multiple virtual machines, then productivity increases, but dependency management and consistency checking become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational throughputVSAvoiddependency management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary actions through dependency tracking before executing simultaneous operations. The system analyzes and resolves dependencies in advance, allowing safe parallel execution of operations across multiple virtual machines while managing complexity through pre-computed dependency graphs and execution plans.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8918783B2Managing virtual computers simultaneously with static and dynamic dependencies

Publication Date: 2014.12.23 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Embodiments are disclosed for managing a plurality of virtual computers in a virtual environment. According to one embodiment, a method includes creating a virtual group. The virtual group includes a plurality of virtual computers having a relevant characteristic. An action to perform on the virtual group is received, and the action is performed on each of the virtual computers in the virtual group.