Virtual Machine Temporary File Partitioning and Cleanup
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtualized environments, there is no efficient mechanism for removing temporary files created by virtual machines, leading to accumulation and performance issues and slowed disk backup operations due to pre-allocated storage expansion.
Innovation Solution
Assigning separate storage disks for temporary files, with a cheaper and less redundant storage type, and implementing a temporary files manager to periodically remove files upon predefined events such as shutdown or restart, ensuring efficient cleaning and reducing storage usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If pre-allocated storage space is used for virtual machines, then storage allocation is simplified, but temporary files accumulate and reduce disk backup speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage into two separate partitions: a first partition for persistent data and a second partition for temporary files. This segmentation allows temporary files to be isolated from the main data storage, preventing them from slowing down disk backup operations while maintaining simple pre-allocation of both partitions to each virtual machine.
2Device complexity
If temporary files are not removed in virtualized environments, then file management is simplified, but storage space is consumed and performance is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts temporary files from the main data storage by creating a separate second partition dedicated to temporary files. This extraction allows the system to maintain simple file management while enabling efficient removal of temporary files through mechanisms like overwriting or deletion, thereby freeing up storage space without complicating the overall management structure.
3Productivity
If separate storage for temporary files is implemented, then temporary file management is improved, but storage device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the temporary file storage with the virtual machine's allocated storage space by creating a second partition within the same storage device. This merging approach allows separate temporary file management while avoiding the complexity of entirely separate storage devices, achieving efficient temporary file removal without excessive structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for handling temporary data of a virtual machine are described. In one embodiment, virtual machines are hosted by a server and accessed by remote clients over a network. The server assigns first storage and second storage to each virtual machine, where the first storage is designated for temporary data of a respective virtual machine and the second storage is designated for persistent data of a respective virtual machine. The server monitors events pertaining to the virtual machine. Upon detecting a predefined event pertaining to one of the virtual machines, the server causes at least a subset of the temporary data to be removed from the first storage of this virtual machine.