Virtual Machine Local Storage Direct Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cloud computing systems, virtual machines cannot directly access local storage devices, leading to inefficient data read and write performance, and conventional distributed storage systems require data rebalancing by physically moving data between storage nodes.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that allow virtual machines to directly access local storage devices by judging whether the storage device is on the same physical machine, using a global unique name to determine if the storage device is registered on the same machine, and mounting it directly if so, or connecting through the iSCSI protocol if not.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If virtual machines access storage devices through iSCSI protocol, then storage resources can be shared across multiple machines, but data read and write performance deteriorates due to network communication overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a storage management module as an intermediary that sits between virtual machines and physical storage devices. This module manages storage resources centrally while allowing virtual machines to access storage efficiently through direct mounting when possible, or through iSCSI protocol when cross-machine access is needed, thus resolving the contradiction between resource sharing and performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments storage access into two paths: direct local access for storage devices on the same physical machine, and networked iSCSI access for remote storage devices. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for performance when possible while maintaining versatility for cross-machine resource sharing
2Adaptability or versatility
If virtual machines are connected to remote storage devices through TCP/IP network, then storage pool accessibility is improved, but access efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making storage access characteristics dependent on the location relationship between virtual machine and storage device. When storage devices are located on the same physical machine as the virtual machine, direct local mounting is used for high-speed access. When storage devices are remote, iSCSI protocol over TCP/IP is used for networked access, thus optimizing speed for local access while maintaining accessibility for remote access
3Productivity
If conventional distributed storage systems physically move data during rebalancing, then storage distribution is optimized, but system downtime and performance loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a copy-based rebalancing mechanism where data is copied from source storage devices to target storage devices rather than physically moved. The original data remains in place during the rebalancing process, allowing continuous access while distributing storage load across the network. This eliminates system downtime and performance loss associated with physical data movement
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and device for a virtual machine to access a storage device in a cloud computing management platform, which can solve the problem that, in the prior art, the virtual machine cannot be connected to the local storage device directly, but must be connected to the local storage device through the iSCSI protocol. The method includes: judging whether the storage device to be accessed by the virtual machine is on a same physical machine as the virtual machine; and when it is judged that the storage device is on the same physical machine as the virtual machine, mounting the storage device directly to the virtual machine.