Virtual Machine Disk Migration via Flat File Block Copying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual machine migration technologies face inefficiencies due to the need for multiple copy steps across secure zones, file format conversions, and bandwidth restrictions, which increase migration time and storage requirements, especially in cloud environments where network security and scalability are concerns.
Innovation Solution
The method involves attaching a source instance disk to a target instance as a flat file and using block copying to transfer the contents, eliminating the need for additional file conversion processes and keeping data within the customer zone, thereby shortening the migration timeline and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional virtual machine migration methods are used with multiple copy steps across secure zones, then migration can be completed, but migration time increases and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the virtual disk data directly from the source virtual machine instance and copies it to the target instance using block copying technology. This eliminates the need for intermediate file conversion steps and temporary storage in secure zones, directly reducing migration time while maintaining data security through encrypted channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by establishing encrypted communication channels and preparing the target virtual machine instance before the actual data migration begins. This includes configuring security parameters and ensuring target system readiness, which streamlines the subsequent migration process and reduces overall migration time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If file format conversions are performed during migration, then compatibility is improved, but migration time increases and additional storage is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the migration approach by using block copying at the data block level rather than converting through file formats. This parameter change in the migration method allows direct data transfer while maintaining compatibility through standardized block structures, eliminating conversion time and additional storage requirements.
3Reliability
If data is transferred across secure zones with bandwidth restrictions, then security is maintained, but migration speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses block copying technology to efficiently transfer data across secure zones. This copying method operates at the block level with optimized data structures that minimize the impact of bandwidth restrictions, maintaining security through encrypted channels while improving migration speed through efficient data representation and transfer protocols.
4Reliability
If multiple copy steps are used across secure zones, then data security is maintained, but storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and directly copies virtual disk data using block copying technology, eliminating the need for multiple intermediate copy steps and temporary storage locations. This approach maintains data security through encrypted direct transfer while significantly reducing storage requirements by removing redundant data copies in secure zones.
Data Source
AI summary
In one approach, a computer mounts a computing device to a target instance, where the computing device stores one or more virtual disks of a source instance, and wherein the target instance includes one or more local disks. The computer detects a disk layout of the source instance. The computer matches the disk layout of the source instance to a disk layout of the target instance. The computer attaches the one or more virtual disks of the source instance to the corresponding one or more local disks of the target instance, where the one or more virtual disks of the source instance are attached as one or more flat files. The computer copies the one or more flat files to the corresponding one or more local disks of the target instance.