Virtual Machine Data Recovery with Block Bitmap Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtual machine data recovery technologies restrict virtual machine access to their data until complete restoration, limiting concurrent access and operation during the recovery process.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow virtual machines to issue read requests concurrently during data recovery by using a block bitmap to determine the location of recovered data, enabling access to both local and remote backup storage services, thus facilitating continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If virtual machine data is recovered completely before allowing access, then data reliability is ensured, but virtual machine operation duration is extended and productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual machine data is segmented into multiple blocks, and the block bitmap is divided into multiple segments corresponding to different storage locations. This segmentation allows the system to track which blocks are recovered and which are not, enabling selective access to recovered blocks while continuing recovery operations on other blocks without waiting for complete restoration.
Solution Approach 2:
The block bitmap acts as an intermediary data structure between the virtual machine and the backup storage service. It mediates the access control during recovery by providing a status map of recovered blocks, allowing the virtual machine to read from recovered blocks while the recovery process continues for other blocks, thus enabling concurrent operation.
2Reliability
If virtual machine access is restricted until complete data restoration, then data integrity is maintained, but operation time is extended and productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows partial access to the virtual machine data by enabling reads only for blocks that have been successfully recovered, rather than waiting for complete restoration. This partial action approach maintains data integrity for accessed blocks while reducing the time the virtual machine must wait before becoming operational.
Solution Approach 2:
The block bitmap is updated in advance during the recovery process to track the status of each block before the virtual machine needs to access it. This preliminary tracking allows the system to prepare recovered blocks for immediate access while continuing recovery operations in the background, reducing overall operation time.
3Productivity
If concurrent access during recovery is allowed, then productivity is improved, but system complexity increases due to block bitmap management
Solution Approach 1:
The block bitmap serves multiple functions: it tracks recovered blocks for access control, provides a map for reading from backup storage, and enables concurrent operation during recovery. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single data structure, the system achieves concurrent access capability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the block bitmap state in the backup storage service, allowing the virtual machine to read block status information without interfering with the actual recovery process. This copying approach simplifies the interaction between the virtual machine and the recovery system while enabling concurrent operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for efficient virtual machine operation while recovering data. Specifically, the disclosed method and system enable the activation of virtual machines while virtual machine data, pertinent to the virtual machines, may concurrently be undergoing restoration. By activation, virtual machines may be permitted to issue input-output operations targeting their respective virtual machine data. Further, whether or not the sought virtual machine data has been recovered, fulfillment of the input-output operations may entail accessing virtual machine data either stored locally or retained remotely on a backup storage service.