Self-Contained Virtual Machine Image Adapter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual machine conversion tools are platform-specific, making it difficult to reverse convert a serialized virtual machine from one virtualized computing environment to another, often resulting in errors or time-consuming processes.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that supplements a serialized virtual machine data file with a software adapter containing disk image converters, metadata mappings, and executable code, enabling self-conversion between disparate virtualized computing environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If platform-specific conversion tools are used to convert a serialized VM from one virtualized computing environment to another, then the conversion can be performed, but the process is time-consuming and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The converted data file is made self-sufficient by embedding the software adapter containing conversion tools and metadata mappings directly within it. This enables the data file to perform self-conversion between different virtualized computing environments without requiring external platform-specific tools, thereby reducing conversion time and eliminating errors associated with manual tool invocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The software adapter and metadata mappings are prepared and embedded in advance during the initial conversion process. This preliminary action ensures that all necessary conversion components are readily available within the data file, eliminating the need for time-consuming external tool execution during subsequent conversion operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If platform-specific conversion tools are used, then conversion between different virtualized computing environments is possible, but reverse conversion is not possible or extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The software adapter embedded in the data file contains multiple executable disk image converters and metadata mappings that support conversion between multiple different virtualized computing environments. This universal approach enables bidirectional and multi-directional conversion flexibility, allowing the data file to be converted to various target environments and potentially reverse-converted without relying on platform-specific tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The software adapter acts as an intermediary component that facilitates conversion between different virtualized computing environments. By embedding this self-contained conversion capability within the data file, the system eliminates the need for external platform-specific conversion tools, thereby simplifying the conversion process and enabling reverse conversion that would otherwise be impossible or extremely complex.
3Ease of operation
If external conversion tools are required for each virtualized computing environment, then conversion can be performed, but the process becomes cumbersome and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the conversion tools, metadata mappings, and executable code into a single integrated software adapter that is embedded within the data file itself. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate external conversion tools for each virtualized computing environment, making the conversion process simpler and more straightforward while maintaining the necessary conversion capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
By embedding the software adapter within the data file, the system enables self-service conversion without requiring external tools or complex system architecture. The data file contains all necessary components to perform its own conversion between different virtualized computing environments, thereby simplifying operation while the embedded adapter handles the technical complexity internally.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method of converting a serialized virtual machine (VM) for a source virtualized computing environment, the serialized VM being stored in a data file having also metadata for instantiating the serialized VM in the source environment, the method including supplementing the data file with a software adapter including a plurality of executable disk image converters, each disk image converter being suitable for converting the serialized VM between disparate virtualized computing environments; a plurality of metadata mappings, each metadata mapping defining how the metadata is converted between disparate virtual computing environments; and executable code for effecting a conversion by executing an appropriate disk image converter and performing an appropriate metadata conversion to convert the data file for a target virtualized computing environment, such that the supplemented data file is operable to self-convert between the source virtualized computing environment and the target virtualized computing environment by execution of the executable code.