Virtual Proxy Deployment Based on Protected VM Count

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current proxy deployment methods in virtual enterprise storage systems inaccurately estimate the number of virtual proxies needed, leading to unnecessary resource consumption and manual deployment errors, as they calculate based on available VMs rather than actively protected VMs.

Innovation Solution

Dynamically determine and automatically deploy the exact number of virtual proxies required by assessing the number of VMs protected by the backup server in real-time, using a point-in-time analysis and adjusting as needed, to optimize proxy usage and avoid human error.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If proxy deployment is based on the number of available VMs in the entire VC, then all available VMs can be protected, but unnecessary proxies are deployed consuming wasted resources

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveVM protection coverageVSAvoidresource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter used for proxy deployment from 'number of available VMs' to 'number of actively protected VMs'. This parameter change ensures that proxies are deployed only when needed, eliminating wasted resources while maintaining protection coverage for actually protected VMs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The backup server continuously monitors and tracks the actual number of VMs protected through backup policies, using this feedback information to dynamically adjust proxy deployment. This feedback mechanism ensures proxy numbers match actual protection needs rather than relying on static availability counts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If manual proxy deployment is used, then deployment can be controlled, but human error and tediousness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment controlVSAvoiddeployment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The backup server automatically performs proxy deployment without requiring manual intervention. The system self-manages the entire proxy deployment process by calculating required numbers based on actual protected VMs and automatically provisioning proxies, eliminating human error while maintaining operational control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of proxy deployment is replaced with an automated software-based system. The backup server uses automated calculations and provisioning mechanisms to deploy proxies, replacing manual administrative tasks with programmable logic that reduces errors and improves reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Area of stationary object

If proxies are deployed based on entire VC topology, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but idle proxies consume VC resources

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveVC coverage areaVSAvoidproxy quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by deploying proxies based on actual protected VMs rather than entire VC topology. This ensures proxies are deployed locally where needed based on actual backup policies and protected workloads, rather than uniformly across the entire VC, eliminating idle proxies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of deploying proxies for all available VMs (excessive action), the system deploys proxies only for actually protected VMs (partial action). This partial approach ensures sufficient coverage for protected workloads while avoiding the excessive deployment that would occur based on total VC availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11645165B2Proxy deployment based upon the actual number of protected virtual machines

Publication Date: 2023.05.09 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

In a backup system for a virtual infrastructure, the actual number of virtual machines protected by a backup server is determined for a given instant of time, and is used to calculate the number of virtual proxies required to protect the that actual number of virtual machines, and to deploy automatically the required virtual proxies in the virtual infrastructure.