Virtual Machine Configuration via Image File Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring complex applications involving multiple virtual machines is a labor-intensive and error-prone process, especially when transitioning from developer to production environments, as it requires manual setting of configuration properties that may not be known at the time of image file creation.
Innovation Solution
A computing device that configures virtual machines using configuration commands that read from or write to application and operating system files within a virtual machine image file, allowing for dynamic setting of configuration properties and enabling multiple virtual machines to boot from the same image file with different configurations, using a virtual machine module with an API for getting and setting properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual configuration is used for each virtual machine, then configuration flexibility is improved, but time consumption and labor intensity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring a master virtual machine image with all necessary software, settings, and configuration templates before it is used as a template for creating additional virtual machines. This preliminary configuration work is performed once on the master image, and then automatically replicated to multiple slave virtual machines, eliminating the need for manual configuration of each individual machine and significantly reducing time consumption while maintaining configuration flexibility.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple virtual machines are created from the same image file, then configuration consistency is improved, but the ability to apply different configurations to different machines is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the configuration into two distinct parts: a master virtual machine image that contains the base configuration and software installation, and slave virtual machines that are created from this image but can have individualized configurations applied. This segmentation allows the system to maintain configuration consistency for core components while enabling variability for specific machine settings, effectively resolving the contradiction between consistency and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different configuration properties to be set at different levels: global settings are defined in the master image that apply to all virtual machines for consistency, while local settings can be customized for each individual virtual machine to provide variability. This enables different parts of the configuration to have different degrees of standardization, simultaneously achieving both configuration consistency and configuration variability where needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If configuration properties are set after virtual machine booting, then flexibility is improved, but the complexity of the configuration process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing mechanisms to pre-configure virtual machine images with anticipated settings and requirements before the virtual machines are booted. Configuration templates, software installations, and parameter settings can be prepared in advance in the master image and automatically applied to slave virtual machines during their initial setup, reducing the need for post-boot configuration and simplifying the overall configuration process while maintaining flexibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computing device configures virtual machines using configuration commands. Each of the virtual machines may boot from a corresponding virtual machine image file. As a virtual machine boots or executes, the virtual machine may read from or write to application and operating system files included in the corresponding virtual machine image file. Prior to the virtual machine booting, the computing device may get or set configuration properties of the operating system and applications to be booted in a respective virtual machine by reading from or writing to the application and operating system files included in the corresponding virtual machine image file. The computing device may execute configuration commands to get or set the configuration properties of the operating system and the applications.