Virtual Machine Startup Using Linked Clone Volume Caching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The frequent access of system disks to an image cache during virtual machine startup leads to hot spots and inefficient bandwidth usage due to repeated access of the same image data, causing a significant load on the cache.
Innovation Solution
A method where a linked clone volume is used to manage system disks, with lazy loading from an image cache only when necessary, reducing direct access to the cache by first checking if the clone volume has the required data, and if not, fetching it from the cache or a remote service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If system disks directly access image cache during virtual machine startup, then image data can be retrieved quickly, but the image cache experiences excessive access frequency causing hot spots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a linked clone volume as an intermediary layer between the system disk and the image cache. When a virtual machine needs image data, the system first checks the linked clone volume. Only when the data is not found there does it access the image cache. This intermediary structure reduces direct access frequency to the image cache, preventing hot spots while maintaining fast data retrieval.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all virtual machines access image cache independently during startup, then each VM can start independently, but bandwidth is wasted due to repeated access of the same image data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the image data storage and distribution function into the linked clone volume. Multiple virtual machines share the same linked clone volume, which caches image data locally. When different virtual machines need the same image data, they all access the linked clone volume first, eliminating redundant bandwidth consumption while preserving independent startup capability.
3Productivity
If system disks frequently access image cache, then image data is readily available, but the access frequency creates bottlenecks in the storage system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-loading image data into the linked clone volume before virtual machines actually need it. The linked clone volume maintains a cache of frequently accessed image data, so when a virtual machine starts, the data is already available locally, eliminating the need for frequent real-time access to the image cache and reducing storage system bottlenecks.
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual machine startup acceleration method and a related device thereof, which significantly reduce a quantity of times that an image cache is accessed, preventing hot spot occurrence in the image cache, are described. The method in this disclosure includes receiving a first read request of a first virtual machine for a first system disk. Then, if it is determined that a linked clone volume for managing the first system disk does not retain first image data indicated by the first read request, notifying the linked clone volume to obtain the first image data from an image cache and store the first image data. The method further includes notifying the linked clone volume to send the first image data to the first system disk, and notifying the first system disk to send the first image data to the first virtual machine.