VM Network Configuration Preservation During Driver-Switched Migration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The migration of a virtual machine from a source to a target computing environment often results in the loss of network configuration data due to the replacement of the network card driver, leading to networking issues and the need for manual intervention to set up the new driver, causing system downtime.

Innovation Solution

A migration engine that inspects the virtual machine's network configuration before migration, automatically configures the new network card driver in the target environment based on the acquired configuration data, and allows user modification through a graphical user interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the network card driver is replaced during virtual machine migration, then the virtual machine can be deployed in the target computing environment, but the network configuration data is erased causing networking issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment capabilityVSAvoidnetwork configuration data

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The migration engine inspects the virtual machine's network configuration before migration occurs and acquires the network configuration data in advance. This preliminary action ensures that the configuration information is preserved and can be automatically applied after the driver replacement, preventing data loss during the migration process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The migration engine acts as an intermediary between the source and target computing environments. It captures the network configuration data from the source environment and facilitates its transfer to the target environment, enabling seamless configuration maintenance during driver replacement without requiring manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If manual intervention is required to set up the new driver, then network connectivity can be restored, but system downtime increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidsystem downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The migration engine automatically configures the new network card driver in the target environment by applying the acquired network configuration data without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability restores network connectivity automatically, eliminating the need for manual setup and reducing system downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The migration engine provides feedback by automatically detecting the network configuration state and applying the appropriate settings to the new driver. This feedback mechanism ensures that the network configuration is correctly restored and maintains reliability without requiring manual verification or intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the migration process is automated, then migration speed increases, but configuration accuracy may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemigration speedVSAvoidconfiguration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical configuration processes with an automated migration engine that uses software-based configuration acquisition and application mechanisms. This substitution maintains high configuration accuracy through systematic data capture and application while significantly increasing migration speed and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The migration engine systematically captures and applies network configuration parameters (such as IP addresses, subnet masks, gateway information) during the automated migration process. By carefully managing parameter transformation and application, the system maintains configuration accuracy while achieving rapid automated migration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250383905A1Maintaining a virtual machine's network configuration through a migration process

Publication Date: 2025.12.18 RED HAT INC

AI summary

In one example, a system can receive a user selection of a virtual machine (VM) to migrate from a source computing environment to a target computing environment. Based on receiving the selection, and prior to performing the migration process, the system can determine network configuration data associated with the VM. The system can then initiate the migration process to migrate the VM from the source computing environment to the target computing environment. The migration process may involve replacing a first network card driver used by the VM at the source computing environment with a second network card driver used by the VM in the target computing environment. Replacing the first network card driver with the second network card driver may erase the network configuration data from the VM. The system can then configure the VM in the target computing environment based on the network configuration data it previously acquired.