Virtual Machine Restoration via Hypervisor Exposure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for restoring distributed applications within virtual data centers are time-consuming, impacting recovery time objectives due to the need to transfer backups from storage to production datastores, which can significantly delay the restoration process.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that involves receiving a request to restore a distributed application, identifying and exposing a virtual machine backup to a hypervisor, regenerating the virtual machine, and starting it within the distributed application before fully recovering its configuration and disk files to the datastore, thereby reducing recovery time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional backup restoration methods are used (transferring backup from backup storage to production datastore before restoration), then data integrity and completeness are ensured, but recovery time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent exposes the backup to the hypervisor and regenerates the virtual machine before completing the full restoration of configuration and disk files to the production datastore. This preliminary action allows the VM to be restored to a usable state while the remaining files are transferred in the background, thereby reducing recovery time while maintaining data integrity.
2Loss of time
If the virtual machine is started before complete recovery of configuration and disk files, then recovery time is reduced, but system stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary restoration of essential VM components to a usable state, allowing the VM to be started before all files are fully restored. This staged approach maintains system stability by ensuring critical components are in place while completing the remaining restoration in the background.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary state where the virtual machine is exposed to the hypervisor and regenerated with available backup data, serving as a bridge between incomplete backup restoration and full system operational status. This intermediary step allows the system to become functional while completing the restoration process.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for restoring distributed applications within virtual data centers may include (1) receiving a request to restore a distributed application that includes at least one virtual machine to a virtual data center, (2) identifying a backup of the virtual machine stored within backup storage, (3) exposing the backup of the virtual machine stored within the backup storage to a hypervisor, (4) regenerating the virtual machine by accessing the backup of the virtual machine at the backup storage, (5) adding the virtual machine to the distributed application, and (6) restoring, before completely recovering the virtual machine from the backup storage to the datastore of the virtual data center, the distributed application by starting the virtual machine as part of the distributed application. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.