Virtual Machine Backup Integrity Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
IT administrators face challenges in verifying the reliability of backup restoration and software deployment processes without risking critical machines, as existing methods are inadequate for ensuring successful restoration or patch application without potential machine failure or vulnerability.
Innovation Solution
The integrity verification manager audits a computer's state before and after restoration or patch application, using a virtual machine environment to simulate the process and compare results, ensuring that critical components and processes remain intact without affecting the actual machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If backup restoration is tested on actual critical machines, then restoration reliability can be verified, but machine failure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual machine copy of the physical computer and restores the backup image to this virtual copy instead of the actual machine. This allows verification of restoration reliability while isolating the physical machine from potential failure risks. The virtual machine serves as a testbed that mirrors the physical system's structure and behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual machine environment acts as an intermediary between the backup restoration process and the physical critical machine. It provides a safe testing ground where restoration operations can be performed and verified without directly affecting the production system, thus eliminating the trade-off between verification and risk.
2Reliability
If patch application is tested on actual critical machines, then patch reliability can be verified, but machine functionality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual machine copy of the physical computer and applies the patch to this virtual copy for testing. This allows verification of patch reliability and compatibility while preserving the original machine's stability and functionality. The virtual environment isolates any potential negative side effects of the patch application.
3Reliability
If software distribution is verified on target machines, then software installation reliability can be confirmed, but system compatibility issues may arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual machine copies representing the target computer systems and installs the software on these virtual machines for verification. This allows confirmation of installation reliability while containing any compatibility issues within the virtual environment, preventing them from affecting actual production systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrity verification manager (101) verifies the integrity of a backup (102) of a computer (103). The integrity verification manager (101) audits the computer (103), and stores information (107) concerning items of interest such as executing processes (109, 111) and open listening ports (113). The integrity verification manager (101) restores a backup (102) of the computer (103) to a virtual machine environment. The integrity verification manager (101) audits the restoration of the backup (102) in the virtual machine environment, and compares audit information (107) concerning the restoration to the stored audit information (107). Responsive to the results of the comparison, the integrity verification manager (101) determines whether the restoration succeeded or failed.