Virtual Machine IO Access Layer for Data Corruption Triage
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtual computing environments, detecting and triaging data integrity issues, such as data corruption, is challenging due to the lack of control over the environment and the inability to identify the source of problems, which can stem from various factors including code bugs, cloud storage inconsistencies, and transient errors, making it difficult to determine whether the issue is caused by the virtual machine or other entities.
Innovation Solution
A layer is inserted in the IO stack of the virtual machine to track data block access and update records, allowing for the detection of illegal access, determination of whether data corruption is caused by the virtual machine or the infrastructure, and identification of the source of data corruption by auditing specified data blocks, thereby eliminating potential causes and determining the responsible entity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a virtual machine is used in a virtualized data protection environment, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but device complexity increases and difficulty of detecting and measuring data corruption sources worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component that sits between the virtual machine and the underlying storage infrastructure. This intermediary monitors and tracks data access operations, maintaining records of which virtual machines access which data blocks. When data corruption is detected, the intermediary enables traceability back to the specific virtual machine responsible, thus resolving the detection difficulty without requiring changes to the virtualization infrastructure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where data integrity checks are continuously performed and results are fed back to identify the source of corruption. When data corruption is detected, the feedback loop traces the corruption source through logged access patterns to identify the responsible virtual machine, enabling automated or semi-automated response actions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If virtual elements and hypervisors controlled by enterprise are used, then adaptability is improved, but reliability of data protection decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data protection functionality into distinct components: the virtual machine layer, the intermediary monitoring layer, and the storage layer. Each segment operates with defined responsibilities and interfaces. The intermediary layer specifically handles integrity verification and source identification, isolating these critical functions from potential failures in either the virtual machine or storage infrastructure, thus improving overall reliability while maintaining enterprise control flexibility.
3Measurement precision
If data corruption detection methods are implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously logging and tracking data access operations before corruption occurs. The intermediary maintains ready-made records of which virtual machines accessed which data blocks and when. When corruption is detected, this pre-collected information is immediately available for instant source identification, eliminating the need for time-consuming investigative procedures after corruption is discovered.
Data Source
AI summary
One example method includes receiving an IO request that specifies an operation to be performed concerning a data block, determining if a policy exists for a device that made the IO request, when a policy is determined to exist for the device, comparing the IO request to the policy, recording the IO request, and passing the IO request to a disk driver regardless of whether the IO request is determined to violate the policy or not.