Automatic Mount Point Cleanup for Virtual Machine Instant Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems require manual intervention to remove mount points after virtual machine image live migration, which prevents subsequent Instant Access initiations and hinders space allocation on backup storage systems.
Innovation Solution
A method to automatically determine the completion of vMotion live migration and remove the corresponding mount point once the datastore is empty, freeing up storage space, using a control server to manage the process through a management console or by forcing removal if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual intervention is used to remove mount points after vMotion migration, then system reliability is maintained through user control, but productivity decreases due to manual operations and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects when vMotion migration is complete and autonomously removes the mount point without requiring user intervention. The management console monitors the migration status and triggers the removal process automatically, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The management console implements a feedback mechanism by monitoring the completion status of vMotion migration and using this information to automatically initiate mount point removal. The system continuously checks migration status and responds by removing the mount point when the feedback indicates migration is complete.
2Reliability
If mount points are not automatically removed after migration, then system stability is maintained through manual verification, but loss of time occurs due to persistent mount points preventing subsequent operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the mount point removal action in advance of any subsequent Instant Access operations by automatically detecting migration completion and removing the mount point immediately. This preliminary action ensures that storage space is freed and the system is ready for the next operation without delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The management console continuously monitors migration status and maintains the system in a ready state by automatically removing mount points as soon as migration completes. This continuous monitoring and immediate action eliminates idle time and ensures the system continuously performs useful work without unnecessary delays.
3Loss of substance
If mount points persist after migration, then data integrity is preserved through manual control, but loss of substance occurs as storage space cannot be freed up
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically discards the mount point reference after vMotion migration completes by detecting migration completion and removing the mount point. This allows the storage space to be recovered and made available for new allocations, preventing permanent space consumption by orphaned mount points.
Solution Approach 2:
The management console autonomously manages storage space by automatically removing mount points when no longer needed, enabling the system to self-regulate space allocation without manual intervention. This self-service approach ensures storage space is continuously optimized and available for productive use.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment is related to a method for automatically removing a mount point, comprising: determining whether a vMotion live migration has been completed for a virtual machine (VM) recovered through Instant Access from a backup storage system; after the vMotion live migration has been completed, determining whether a datastore corresponding to a backup image of the VM on the backup storage system is empty; in response to determining that the datastore corresponding to the backup image of the VM on the backup storage system is empty, removing automatically a mount point corresponding to the datastore; and after removing the mount point, freeing up storage space on the backup storage system corresponding to the datastore.