VM Snapshot Loading via Distributed EBS Stripe Cache

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Solution Overview

Problem

The prior art experiences significant traffic amplification and lower loading speed of snapshot data during the lazy loading process in cloud computing due to each virtual machine reading snapshot data from the image center, leading to bottlenecks in traffic and processing capacity.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a snapshot distributed cache in the EBS cluster with multiple snapshot cache nodes to cache and distribute snapshot data, allowing the snapshot data to be read from these nodes instead of the image center, thereby utilizing the full processing capacity of the EBS cluster.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If each virtual machine reads snapshot data from the image center during lazy loading, then the virtual machine can start without waiting for snapshot data to be loaded into the cloud disk, but the traffic amplification occurs and loading speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirtual machine startup speedVSAvoidsnapshot data loading speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces snapshot cache nodes as intermediary components between the image center and virtual machines. These cache nodes store snapshot data locally and serve multiple virtual machines, reducing direct traffic to the image center while maintaining fast data access speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the snapshot data storage and serving function by distributing snapshot data across multiple snapshot cache nodes in the EBS cluster. This segmentation allows parallel data retrieval from multiple nodes simultaneously, improving overall loading speed and reducing traffic concentration at the image center.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If snapshot data is cached in the EBS cluster with multiple snapshot cache nodes, then the processing capacity of the EBS cluster is fully utilized and data loading speed improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata loading speedVSAvoidEBS cluster configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The snapshot cache nodes in the EBS cluster serve multiple functions: they store snapshot data, cache frequently accessed data, and serve multiple virtual machines simultaneously. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering significant performance benefits across the board.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the storage and access parameters of snapshot data by introducing stripe-based distribution across multiple cache nodes. This parameter change enables parallel data retrieval and improves loading speed, with the complexity managed through standardized configuration parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If snapshot data is distributed to multiple snapshot cache nodes, then traffic bottlenecks are prevented and processing capacity is maximized, but the complexity of data distribution increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing capacityVSAvoiddata distribution complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments snapshot data into stripes and distributes them across multiple cache nodes using a systematic approach. This segmentation enables parallel processing and maximizes processing capacity while the distribution complexity is managed through standardized algorithms and configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The snapshot distributed cache maintains continuous availability of snapshot data across multiple nodes, ensuring that virtual machines can always access data without waiting for single-node operations. This continuous action maximizes processing capacity while the system manages distribution complexity through ongoing optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20260003660A1Method and device for loading virtual machine snapshot data

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 BEIJING VOLCANO ENGINE TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A method and device for loading virtual machine snapshot data, the method comprising: in response to receiving startup instructions of multiple virtual machines, selecting target image files corresponding to multiple virtual machines from multiple image files stored in an image center, and caching multiple snapshot data in the target image files in the form of stripe data to multiple snapshot cache nodes in an elastic block storage EBS cluster according to a preset first stripe size; wherein the EBS cluster is configured with a snapshot distributed cache formed by multiple snapshot cache nodes to be responsible for caching and distributing snapshot data; creating a data loading cloud disk corresponding to each virtual machine, and for each virtual machine, loading the snapshot data required to start the virtual machine from the snapshot storage space of multiple snapshot cache nodes through the data loading cloud disk corresponding to the virtual machine.