Virtual Machine Recovery Environment Wrapping for Secure Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtual machine recovery solutions face challenges in security, scalability, and resource usage, particularly when attempting to recover a damaged virtual machine in a cloud environment, as they often require compromising security protections and involve complex, inefficient processes.
Innovation Solution
A virtual machine recovery environment is created as a tenant-owned, self-contained instance that wraps the damaged VM, allowing diagnostic and maintenance procedures without exposing it to unauthorized access, while enforcing the original security protections and using a zero-copy model to access VM assets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If virtual console access is provided to allow tenants to recover VMs, then VM recoverability is improved, but networking and security issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a recovery environment as an intermediary layer between the tenant and the damaged VM. This recovery environment provides the necessary console access and repair capabilities while maintaining security boundaries, thus resolving the contradiction between enabling VM recovery and preventing security issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the recovery process into a separate recovery environment that is distinct from the original VM. This segmentation allows tenants to access and repair their VMs through an isolated environment, improving recoverability while containing potential security risks within the segmented recovery space.
2Ease of repair
If hosting environments assist tenants with VM recovery, then recovery capability is improved, but complexity increases and scalability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service recovery model where tenants can independently access and repair their own VMs through the recovery environment. This eliminates the need for complex manual assistance from hosting environment staff, reducing process complexity while maintaining or improving recovery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The recovery environment is designed as a universal solution that can handle multiple types of VM recovery scenarios through a standardized interface and process. This multi-functionality reduces the complexity that would otherwise arise from managing multiple specialized recovery procedures.
3Ease of repair
If security protections are compromised to enable VM repair, then ease of repair is improved, but security is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The recovery environment acts as a secure intermediary that mediates between the need for VM repair access and the requirement for security protection. It provides the necessary access for repair operations while maintaining security boundaries, thus improving ease of repair without compromising security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different security qualities to different parts of the recovery process. The recovery environment itself maintains strong security protections, while allowing controlled access for repair operations within that environment. This local differentiation of security quality enables both secure and accessible VM repair.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques for a recovery environment for a virtual machine are described herein. Generally, a recovery environment provides a secure environment in which a damaged virtual machine can undergo repair procedures without compromising the security of the damaged virtual machine. In at least some implementations, a recovery environment represents an instance of a virtual machine that is executed to wrap a damaged virtual machine to enable the damaged virtual machine to be repaired.