Virtual Machine Recovery Disk Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cloud service providers lack a non-disruptive method for recovering inaccessible virtual machines, often requiring destruction and redeployment, which risks data loss and network downtime, and existing recovery methods are either disruptive or require manual intervention, making them unsuitable for large-scale automation.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that attach a recovery disk to the virtual machine, executing a configuration file to perform recovery actions without stopping or restarting the VM, allowing for non-disruptive recovery by using a VM restore agent to execute instructions from the configuration file, which can reset credentials or fix configurations, and log results for user inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the VM instance is destroyed and redeployed to recover accessibility, then accessibility can be restored, but data loss occurs and network downtime ensues
Solution Approach 1:
A recovery disk is attached to the VM instance before destruction occurs. This recovery disk contains a configuration file with pre-prepared recovery instructions and credentials. When the instance needs recovery, the configuration file is executed to restore accessibility without destroying the instance, thereby preserving data and avoiding downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of destroying the original VM instance, a recovery configuration is copied onto a separate recovery disk. This allows the recovery process to be performed on the original instance using the copied configuration data, eliminating the need for destruction and redeployment.
2Reliability
If the VM instance is destroyed and redeployed to recover accessibility, then accessibility can be restored, but network downtime occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The recovery disk with configuration file is prepared in advance and attached to the running VM instance. The configuration file contains all necessary recovery instructions that can be executed immediately without stopping the instance, enabling continuous operation during recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The VM instance continues to run and remain accessible throughout the recovery process. The recovery operations are performed in the background or during maintenance windows without interrupting the instance's operation, ensuring continuous network availability.
3Ease of repair
If manual intervention is used to detach and re-attach disk images for recovery, then recovery can be performed, but automation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The recovery disk contains a configuration file that automatically executes recovery operations when attached to the VM instance. The system performs self-diagnosis and self-repair by reading the configuration file and executing the necessary recovery steps without requiring external manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
All recovery instructions, credentials, and configuration data are pre-configured in the recovery disk before it is attached. When the instance needs recovery, the pre-configured instructions are automatically executed, eliminating the need for manual step-by-step intervention and enabling full automation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus of a device that recovers accessibility for an inaccessible virtual machine hosted by a cloud service provider is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the device receives an indication that a recovery disk has been attached to a virtual machine hosted by a cloud service provider, wherein the virtual machine is inaccessible to a client. In addition, the device executes an agent that recovers the accessibility of the virtual machine for the client.