Virtual Machine Topology Discovery via API Call Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for discovering application topology in virtualization environments rely on active detection, which increases network load and has low accuracy, lacking a method for topology discovery without using detection data packets.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that collect and analyze API calling information to determine interaction between virtual machines by matching conditions such as time gaps and packet flow directions, establishing an application topology relationship based on interaction frequency, with optional consideration of communication protocols and network segment alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active detection method is used to discover application topology, then topology discovery can be performed, but network load increases and accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of actively sending detection packets to discover topology, the patent inverts the approach by passively collecting API calling information that is already generated during normal application operations. The topology discovery server analyzes these existing API calls to infer topology relationships, eliminating the need for additional detection traffic while improving accuracy through real operational data
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the API calling information that applications generate during their normal self-operation to perform topology discovery. The applications essentially discover their own topology relationships through their own API calls, without requiring external active detection, thereby avoiding additional network load while maintaining high accuracy
2Loss of information
If active detection data packets are sent to network targets, then topology information can be obtained, but the complexity of the discovery process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential topology discovery function from the complex active detection process by collecting only the necessary API calling information (source VM, destination VM, API type, time) that directly indicates topology relationships. This extraction simplifies the discovery process while maintaining complete topology information by focusing on the most relevant operational data
Data Source
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AI summary
This application relates to the field of IT technologies, and in particular, to a method, an apparatus, and a system for discovering an application topology relationship between virtual machines. According to the method for discovering an application topology relationship provided by this application, in a packet transmission process, API calling information is recorded, and a topology discovery server determines, by analyzing collected API calling information, whether interaction exists between virtual machines in a virtual machine cluster. By using the foregoing analysis manner, the topology discovery server may further determine interaction frequency that is between virtual machines and to which the collected API calling information relates, and determine an application topology relationship between the virtual machines according to the interaction frequency of the virtual machines. The foregoing solution provides a method for discovering an application topology relationship between virtual machines in a virtualization scenario, where an application topology relationship between virtual machines is determined by analyzing API calling information generated in a packet transmission process, and therefore complexity of the solution is relatively low.