Virtual Machine Image File Conversion Without VM Startup
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for converting virtual machine image files between different platforms are resource-intensive and inefficient, as they require starting the original image file as a virtual machine to update drivers and file formats, leading to high resource consumption and low conversion efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An image file conversion method and apparatus that detect the absence of target platform characteristics in the original image file and automatically update the drivers and file formats using predetermined interfaces, without starting the original image file as a virtual machine, to create a compatible target image file.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the original image file is started as a virtual machine to update drivers and file formats, then the conversion compatibility is improved, but the resource consumption increases and conversion efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential conversion requirements (driver updates and file format changes) from the virtual machine execution environment and applies them directly to the image file through interface calls. This separates the conversion process from the need to start the actual virtual machine, thereby maintaining compatibility while improving efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs driver updates and file format conversions as preliminary actions on the image file before the virtual machine is started. By pre-modifying the image file to include target platform drivers and formats, the system eliminates the need for post-conversion manual interventions and reduces overall conversion time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the original image file is started as a virtual machine to update drivers and file formats, then the conversion compatibility is improved, but the resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the conversion operations from the virtual machine execution context and applies them directly to the image file. This eliminates the need to allocate and run a full virtual machine environment solely for conversion purposes, thereby significantly reducing CPU, memory, and storage resource consumption while maintaining conversion compatibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual driver uninstallation and target driver installation are performed, then the driver compatibility is improved, but the operation complexity increases and error probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic driver replacement through predetermined interface calls that detect the absence of target platform characteristics and perform driver updates without human intervention. This self-service mechanism eliminates manual driver uninstallation and installation steps, reducing both operational complexity and the risk of human error while ensuring driver compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a conversion server as an intermediary that mediates between the source and target platforms. This server automatically detects compatibility issues and performs driver replacements through standardized interface calls, simplifying the conversion process and eliminating the need for manual driver management operations.
4Manufacturing precision
If the image file conversion is performed by starting the virtual machine, then the conversion accuracy is improved, but the conversion time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs file format conversions and driver updates as preliminary actions on the image file itself before virtual machine execution. By pre-processing the image file to incorporate all necessary target platform characteristics, the system maintains conversion accuracy while eliminating the time-consuming virtual machine startup and shutdown cycles required in traditional methods.
Data Source
AI summary
An image file conversion method includes: obtaining an original image file of a virtual machine on an original platform; detecting whether the original image file has a first file characteristic and a second file characteristic that are corresponding to a target platform, wherein the first file characteristic comprises a target driver used when the virtual machine runs on the target platform, and the second file characteristic comprises a target file format supported by the target platform; and changing, in response to detecting that the original image file does not have at least one of the first file characteristic or the second file characteristic, the original image file by calling a predetermined interface, to obtain a target image file of the virtual machine on the target platform, wherein the target image file has the first file characteristic and the second file characteristic.