Virtual Machine State Comparison via Snapshot Copying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtualization environments lack mechanisms to view prior states of virtual machines without losing the current state, compare whole machine states, and copy files or settings between states, which hinders debugging and performance optimization.
Innovation Solution
The development of methods and systems that allow viewing, comparing, and modifying virtual machine states by deploying selected snapshots concurrently with the active state, enabling the comparison and copying of files and settings between different states of a virtual machine without closing the current state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If snapshots are used to preserve virtual machine states, then the ability to revert to previous states is improved, but the ability to view and compare multiple states concurrently is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the virtual machine in a second console when a snapshot is selected. This copy allows the user to view and compare the previous state without affecting the original running virtual machine, thus enabling concurrent state comparison while maintaining state preservation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to state management by allowing multiple states (current and historical snapshots) to exist and be viewed concurrently in different consoles, transforming the traditional single-state view into a multi-state comparative view
2Loss of information
If the current virtual machine state is closed to view a snapshot, then the snapshot can be viewed, but the current state is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of closing the current state to view a snapshot, the system creates a copy of the snapshot in a second console. This allows the user to view the snapshot while the original virtual machine continues to run unchanged in the first console, eliminating the need to close the current state
3Ease of repair
If file copying between states is enabled, then debugging capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a file copying mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the current state and snapshot states. This intermediary allows selective copying of files and settings between states, enabling debugging capabilities while maintaining a clear separation between states to manage complexity
Data Source
AI summary
In a computer-implemented method for modifying a state of a virtual machine, information between two states of a virtual machine is compared, wherein the two states include a current state of the virtual machine and previous state of the virtual machine. The previous state of the virtual machine is included within a snapshot of the virtual machine at the previous state. Information that is different between the two states is identified. The information that is different between the two states is presented, wherein the information that is different is selectable for copying between the two states.