Server Virtual Machine Creation via Volume Merging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for creating server virtual machines either impose performance degradation through thin provisioning or require time-consuming cloning, failing to meet the high performance needs of server virtual machines while minimizing data copying.

Innovation Solution

A virtualization manager directs a worker host to create a volume on top of a template disk, allowing the virtual machine to be used initially without data copying, and then merges the volume with the template disk at a later time, optimizing performance and reducing the number of volumes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If thin provisioning is used to create virtual machines, then creation speed is improved, but performance degradation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirtual machine creation speedVSAvoidvirtual machine performance

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by creating the virtual machine structure and mounting the template disk immediately for fast provisioning, then delays the performance-degrading full cloning operation until after the VM is operational. This separates the fast creation phase from the slower optimization phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the disk provisioning state over time. Initially, the VM uses thin provisioning with template disk mounting for fast creation. Later, it transitions to a cloned disk configuration for optimal performance. The system monitors VM activity and automatically triggers cloning when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If cloning is used to create virtual machines, then performance is improved, but creation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirtual machine performanceVSAvoidvirtual machine creation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic monitoring of VM activity levels to determine when to trigger the cloning operation. Instead of cloning immediately or never, it waits for appropriate conditions (low activity periods or predefined time thresholds) before initiating the clone, optimizing the balance between creation speed and performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If multiple volumes are created for each virtual disk, then data redundancy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata redundancyVSAvoidnumber of volumes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the template disk and the volume into a single cloned disk, reducing the number of volumes from multiple separate entities to a single integrated disk structure. This simplifies the device architecture while preserving data redundancy through the cloning process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts the necessary data from multiple volumes during the cloning process and consolidates them into a single cloned disk, eliminating the need to maintain multiple separate volume structures while preserving the redundant data information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10417034B2Gradual creation process of server virtual machines

Publication Date: 2019.09.17 RED HAT ISRAEL

AI summary

An example method for the gradual creation process of server virtual machines includes a virtualization manager locking a virtual machine template, saving a configuration of a virtual machine, locking the virtual machine, and directing a worker host to create a volume. The worker host creates the volume, and the virtualization manager unlocks the virtual machine. A destination host executes the virtual machine, and the worker host merges the volume with a disk of the virtual machine template.