Virtual Machine Provisioning via Converged Networking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The distribution of large virtual machines is time-consuming and expensive due to their size, hindering rapid deployment and usage, especially for short-term needs in cloud environments.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism for provisioning virtual machines involves deploying a converged networking and computing device, downloading and activating virtual machines over a wide area network, and reconfiguring network connectivity for high-speed transfer and deployment to multiple locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If virtual machines are distributed using traditional network methods, then the distribution can be completed, but the process is time-consuming and expensive due to the large size of virtual machine files
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual machine file is divided into multiple smaller blocks that can be distributed independently through the network. Each block can be transferred separately and reassembled at the destination, enabling parallel transfer and reducing overall distribution time while managing large file sizes effectively
Solution Approach 2:
Virtual machine images are pre-stored in a library at the service provider's location before deployment. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid retrieval and distribution to multiple service locations simultaneously, eliminating the need to create or transfer entire VM files from scratch during deployment
2Productivity
If virtual machines are distributed rapidly to multiple locations, then deployment speed is improved, but network infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A library of virtual machine images is maintained at the service provider's location as an intermediary storage layer. This library serves as a local repository that enables rapid distribution to multiple service locations without requiring complex direct peer-to-peer network configurations, simplifying the overall network infrastructure while maintaining high deployment speed
3Speed
If virtual machines are stored locally at each service location, then access speed is improved, but storage requirements and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of storing complete virtual machine images at each service location, only the necessary blocks are stored locally in a cache. This selective local storage provides fast access for frequently used VMs while avoiding the need to maintain full copies of all VM images at every location, thereby reducing overall storage requirements
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus facilitates an enterprise to lease virtual appliances from network services provider. The method operates by deploying a converged networking and computing device at a service location, downloading a virtual machine to the converged networking and computing device, activating the virtual machine by a service in the wide area network, and connecting the virtual machine to a provisioned network path over the wide area network. Different virtual machines can be deployed to different locations. The same virtual machine can be deployed to different locations. Moreover, more than one virtual machine may be deployed to more than one service location.