Virtual Machine Media Recovery Using Reduced Quality Files
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disaster recovery processes for virtual machines (VMs) with significant media content are inefficient, particularly due to the time-consuming nature of recovering full-quality files, which can prolong the initial recovery time.
Innovation Solution
The approach involves reducing the quality of media files, such as audio and video files, to create smaller, reduced-quality files that can be saved alongside full-quality files in cloud storage. These reduced-quality files are used for initial recovery, significantly reducing the initial recovery time, while full-quality files are restored later.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full-quality media files are restored during disaster recovery, then the complete and accurate data is recovered, but the initial recovery time is significantly prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the recovery process into two distinct phases: an initial rapid recovery phase using reduced-quality files, and a subsequent completion phase using full-quality files. This segmentation allows the system to deliver immediate value with smaller files while maintaining the option to restore complete data later, effectively resolving the contradiction between speed and completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by restoring only the essential portion of media files (reduced-quality versions) during initial recovery, rather than waiting for complete restoration. This partial restoration provides sufficient functionality for business continuity while avoiding the time penalty of full restoration, with the understanding that complete files can be restored later if needed.
2Manufacturing precision
If full-quality media files are downloaded during recovery, then the original data quality is maintained, but the download time and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs reduced-quality files as temporary substitutes for full-quality files during the initial recovery phase. These lower-fidelity versions serve the immediate need for data access without requiring the extensive download time and storage capacity of full-quality files. The system accepts this temporary compromise in quality to achieve rapid recovery, with the option to replace with full-quality files later.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the quality parameter of media files during recovery by using reduced-quality versions initially. This parameter modification allows the system to balance between file size/download time and quality requirements, enabling faster recovery while maintaining the capability to restore original quality files when necessary.
3Productivity
If reduced-quality files are used for initial recovery, then the recovery speed increases, but the file quality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic recovery strategy where the system can adapt between different file quality levels based on recovery needs. The recovery process is not static but can transition from using reduced-quality files for speed to full-quality files for completeness, allowing the system to optimize the balance between recovery speed and file quality according to specific operational requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
One example method includes processing a file of a VM to create a decreased quality file that is a version of the file, storing the decreased quality file at a recovery site along with metadata indicating a file type and path name for the decreased quality file, in response to a disaster recovery request, creating a partial user VM at the recovery site, and the partial user VM includes the decreased quality file, and with the partial user VM, serving the decreased quality file to a user in response to a request from the user.