Virtual Machine Installation Segmentation for Cloud Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for installing virtual machines in cloud computing are inefficient and prone to errors due to excessive customization during the installation process, lacking effective automation and debugging capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that split the virtual machine installation into a minimal operating system creation and customization, using native OS tools and a template-driven approach to generate a cloud-generic virtual machine disk image, enabling efficient and error-reduced deployment across different cloud providers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If extensive customization is attempted at the time of installation using traditional mechanisms, then the virtual machine can be configured to meet specific requirements, but the installation process becomes error-prone and lacks debugging capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the installation process into two distinct phases: (1) a minimal installation phase that creates a basic functional system, and (2) a post-installation customization phase that applies configurations. This separation allows the core installation to be simple and reliable, while customization occurs in a controlled environment where errors can be detected and debugged without compromising the installation itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary installation of a minimal operating system before applying customizations. This preliminary action establishes a stable base system that can be independently verified, and subsequent customization steps can be applied systematically with debugging capabilities available if issues arise.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual configuration is performed on each individual machine, then specific system requirements can be met, but extensive time and work are dedicated to setup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a standardized virtual machine image through automated installation and customization processes. Once this image is created, it can be copied and deployed across multiple machines consistently, eliminating the need for manual configuration on each individual machine while maintaining configuration flexibility through template-based customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service automation where the installation and customization process configures itself without manual intervention. Scripts and automation tools handle the entire process from minimal installation through full customization, dramatically improving deployment efficiency while maintaining adaptability through configurable parameters.
3Extent of automation
If automation is implemented using traditional operating system vendor mechanisms, then installation can be automated, but the approach fails due to excessive customization attempts during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides automation into two stages: automated minimal installation using vendor mechanisms (which is reliable and simple), followed by automated customization in a post-installation environment. This segmentation prevents the failure mode of attempting excessive customization during the installation phase itself, while still achieving full automation through scripted post-installation configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary automated installation of a minimal functional system before attempting any customization. This preliminary automated action establishes a known-good baseline state, and subsequent automated customization steps can be applied with proper error handling and debugging capabilities, thereby maintaining both automation and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A server computing system receives a request to instantiate a virtual machine in a cloud. The request is associated with a template that specifies the operating system and software packages to be installed on the virtual machine. The system splits the installation of the virtual machine into creating a minimal operating system installation, customizing the minimal installation, and generating a disk image of the customized minimal installation. The system creates a minimal installation of the specified operating system, executes the minimal operating system in a virtual machine guest, and customizes the minimal installation of the operating system as specified in the template. The system generates a virtual machine disk image of the customized minimal installation that is a cloud generic virtual machine disk image an is configurable to instantiate the virtual machine in clouds provided by different cloud providers.