Virtual Machine Disk Backup Session Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficiency in virtual machine (VM) backup processes due to static assignment of backup proxy sessions at the VM level, leading to idle sessions and sequential backup of VM disks, which increases the time required for backup and restore operations, especially with varying VM disk sizes and numbers.
Innovation Solution
Dynamic assignment of backup proxy sessions at the VMDK level, prioritizing VM backup based on the number and size of VMDKs, and reassigning sessions once they become idle to optimize resource utilization and reduce backup time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If backup proxy sessions are statically assigned at the VM level, then the backup process is simple to manage, but backup time increases and sessions remain idle due to sequential backup of VMDKs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the backup process from VM level to VMDK level, allowing individual virtual disk containers to be backed up independently. This segmentation enables multiple backup sessions to operate in parallel on different VMDKs within the same VM, eliminating the sequential bottleneck and reducing overall backup time while improving session utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic assignment of backup proxy sessions at the VMDK level, where sessions are allocated based on real-time needs rather than static VM-level assignments. This dynamic approach allows sessions to be reassigned flexibly across multiple VMDKs, preventing idle sessions and optimizing resource utilization during the backup process.
2Productivity
If multiple backup sessions are assigned to a VM, then backup speed increases, but session assignment becomes complex and idle sessions occur when sessions exceed VMDK count
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the backup target into individual VMDKs, the patent enables straightforward assignment of multiple backup sessions to each VMDK without complex VM-level coordination. Each VMDK can receive independent session assignments, simplifying the overall assignment logic while enabling parallel backup operations that increase backup speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the assignment parameter from VM-level to VMDK-level, allowing the system to optimize session allocation based on the actual number of VMDKs rather than VM count. This parameter change enables precise matching of sessions to work units, increasing backup speed while avoiding the complexity of managing excess sessions at the VM level.
3Ease of operation
If backup sessions are assigned sequentially to VMDKs, then session management is simplified, but total backup time increases due to lack of parallelism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the backup workload into independent VMDK units that can be processed in parallel. By maintaining simple session management at the VMDK level rather than implementing complex VM-level coordination, the system achieves both operational simplicity and parallel execution, thereby reducing total backup time without sacrificing management ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous utilization of backup sessions by assigning them to multiple VMDKs simultaneously rather than letting sessions idle between VMs. This continuous action approach maintains session productivity throughout the backup process, reducing total backup time while keeping session assignment management simple through standardized VMDK-level procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a method identifies a plurality of parameters associated with one or more virtual machines to be backed up to a backup storage system and a number of available backup proxy sessions. The method further assigns each of the available backup proxy sessions to a virtual disk of the one or more virtual machines based on the plurality of parameters and the number of available backup proxy sessions. The method then initiates backup operations, wherein each assigned backup proxy session is to back up a corresponding virtual disk to which it is assigned.