Instantiating Virtual Machines from Backups via Partial Data Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for verifying the consistency of virtual machine backups require copying the entire set of virtual machine data to a restore location, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for quickly instantiating a virtual machine backup by exposing backup VM disk data, mounting it as a mapped VM disk, and restoring the virtual machine without copying all data, allowing for automated testing and restoration of virtual machine configuration and contents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire set of virtual machine data is copied to the restore location, then the consistency of the backup can be verified, but the restore time is long and efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential configuration data and metadata from the backup, rather than copying the entire virtual machine data set. This allows consistency verification to be performed on critical restore information without the time-consuming process of transferring all VM data, directly resolving the contradiction between verification reliability and restore time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by performing consistency verification on a subset of backup data (configuration and metadata) rather than the complete data set. This partial verification approach provides sufficient reliability assurance while dramatically reducing the time and resources required compared to full data copying
2Reliability
If a production virtual machine restore is performed to verify backup consistency, then verification is achieved, but the entire backup data set must be copied before verification can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the backup verification process into distinct components: extracting only configuration and metadata for verification purposes, separate from the full VM data restoration. This segmentation allows verification to proceed independently and much faster, improving productivity while maintaining reliability through focused validation of critical restore elements
3Reliability
If full production restores are performed for testing, then complete restoration is achieved, but time and resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary extraction and verification of configuration data and metadata before initiating full restoration processes. This preliminary action validates the essential restore information upfront, providing confidence in restoration completeness without requiring time-consuming full production restores for testing purposes
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies including computer implemented methods and systems are described herein for providing instantiation of virtual machines from backups. Systems and methods disclosed herein do not require restoring the complete contents of a virtual machine from a backup prior to using the virtual machine. Systems and methods presented herein allow creating and running a virtual machine directly from a virtual machine backup. Virtual machines created and maintained by the virtual machine instantiation system may be, in turn, used for backup consistency testing, disaster recovery testing, or granular item-level restore.