Virtual Machine Backup via Intermediary File Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Virtual machines without a backup unit are unable to recognize each other as sets of Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) files, making it difficult for an information processing device to appropriately back up multiple virtual machines.
Innovation Solution
An information processing device with at least one first virtual machine and a second virtual machine, where the second virtual machine includes a file collector to gather files from the first virtual machine, an archive creator to create an archive file, and a backup unit to create an image file and back it up to external storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the host OS is dedicated to virtual machine management with limited user access, then virtual machine stability is improved, but user access and virtual machine functionality are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into multiple virtual machines with distinct roles: the host OS manages virtual machine creation and stability, while at least one guest OS (second virtual machine) is equipped with backup units to handle backup operations. This segmentation allows the host to remain stable and dedicated while enabling functionality in the guest VMs.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup unit is implemented within the guest OS rather than requiring all host OS functions to include backup capabilities. This multi-functionality approach allows specific virtual machines to perform backup operations while the host OS maintains its primary function of virtual machine management, thereby expanding overall system functionality without compromising host stability.
2Reliability
If virtual machines are equipped with backup units, then backup capability is improved, but virtual machines cannot recognize each other as sets of VHD files
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the backup unit in the second virtual machine collects files from the first virtual machine and creates archive files. This intermediary approach allows virtual machines to share data without directly recognizing each other's VHD file structures, simplifying the recognition problem while maintaining backup capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring virtual machines to directly access and recognize each other's VHD files, the system creates archive file copies of the necessary data. The backup unit collects files and generates archive copies that can be stored and managed without requiring complex inter-VM VHD recognition, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving backup functionality.
3Reliability
If the host OS backs up virtual machines as sets of files, then backup completeness is improved, but backup operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backup system implements self-service by enabling virtual machines to perform their own backup operations through integrated backup units in the guest OS. The second virtual machine's backup unit autonomously collects files from the first virtual machine and creates archives, eliminating the need for complex host OS-mediated backup operations while ensuring complete backup coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing device includes a master virtual machine and at least one slave virtual machine. The master virtual machine includes a file collector to collect a file in the at least one slave virtual machine, an archive creator to create an archive file of the collected file and store the archive file into the master virtual machine, and a master backup unit to create an image file of the master virtual machine including the archive file of the collected file and back up the image file into an external storage.