Virtual Machine Image Provisioning via Declarative Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Creating and storing multiple machine images for virtual machines in cloud computing environments is time-consuming and resource-intensive, as users often need customized configurations that require loading basic operating systems and installing additional software, leading to high storage and financial burdens.
Innovation Solution
A declarative XML document is used to specify software and data requirements for virtual machines, allowing on-demand construction of machine images without the need for storing multiple pre-configured images, where the system downloads and formats necessary software and data dynamically based on user specifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple pre-configured machine images are created and stored for different software requirements, then users can quickly instantiate virtual machines with customized configurations, but storage resources and financial costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring software packages and their dependencies in a centralized repository before runtime. Instead of storing complete machine images, the system prepares software metadata, dependency relationships, and installation scripts in advance. When a virtual machine needs software, the system quickly retrieves and installs only the necessary components from this pre-prepared repository, achieving fast instantiation without storing multiple full machine images.
2Productivity
If multiple pre-configured machine images are created and stored for different software requirements, then users can quickly instantiate virtual machines with customized configurations, but financial resources required to pay for storage resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating lightweight software package definitions and dependency metadata in a centralized repository, rather than copying entire machine images. When software is needed, only the essential configuration data and installation instructions are copied and applied to the virtual machine, dramatically reducing storage requirements while maintaining the ability to quickly provision software configurations.
3Quantity of substance
If a plain image with basic operating system is loaded and software is installed manually to create desired machine image, then storage resources are reduced, but time required for creating machine image increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically resolving software dependencies and installing required packages without manual intervention. When a user specifies software requirements, the system autonomously queries the centralized repository, resolves dependency chains, downloads necessary packages, and installs them on the virtual machine. This automation eliminates the time-consuming manual software installation process while maintaining minimal storage requirements.
4Ease of operation
If software dependencies are resolved and installed automatically, then ease of operation is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component - a centralized software repository with automated dependency resolution logic - that mediates between user software requests and the virtual machine installation process. This intermediary handles the complex tasks of parsing software specifications, resolving dependency chains, selecting appropriate package versions, and coordinating installations. By concentrating this complexity in a dedicated intermediary system, the virtual machine instantiation process remains simple for users while the backend handles the necessary complexity systematically.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for creating a machine image to be used in instantiating virtual nodes in a cloud computing environment. A virtual machine operating system image is created based on the configuration file. The machine operating system image is loaded in the cloud environment as a machine instance. An EBS disk is created based on the configuration file, and the EBS disk is attached to the machine instance. The method and apparatus allow software to be provisioned on the fly merely by being specified in the configuration file, which can be an XML file or other declarative document.