Virtual Machine Update Detection via Target State Copying
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Solution Overview
Problem
The maintenance activity of updating software in virtual machines is time-consuming and resource-intensive, as traditional methods require running the virtual machine and executing an update agent, which can be tedious and consume compute resources.
Innovation Solution
An update agent that receives requests to scan for updates, utilizes a resource accessor to map resource names, and employs a multi-pass protocol to eliminate irrelevant updates by evaluating rules and providing results to an update source, allowing for efficient detection of needed updates without running the virtual machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional update method is used (running virtual machine and executing update agent), then updates can be applied, but time consumption and resource consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the virtual machine image in a target state that represents an updated version. The update agent compares the current VM state against this target state copy to identify differences and determine what updates are needed, eliminating the need to run the actual VM for update detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The target state (updated VM image) is prepared in advance before the update is applied to the running VM. By having the updated state ready and comparing against it, the system can determine update requirements without executing the update process on the live VM, thus saving time.
2Reliability
If traditional update method is used (running virtual machine and executing update agent), then updates can be applied, but compute resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of running the VM to perform updates, the patent uses a copy of the VM image in target state for comparison. The update agent operates on this static copy rather than on a running VM, significantly reducing compute resource consumption while still achieving complete update assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the update detection function from the running VM environment. By separating the update agent execution from the live VM operation and using a target state copy instead, the system removes the computational overhead of running a full VM just for update purposes.
3Measurement precision
If traditional update method is used, then updates can be detected, but the process is tedious for administrators
Solution Approach 1:
The update agent automatically compares the current VM state against the target state and self-determines what updates are needed. This eliminates the need for administrators to manually check for updates or interpret complex VM states, as the system performs the detection and analysis autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the update agent continuously compares the VM state against the target state and provides automated update recommendations. This feedback loop eliminates manual administrative effort by automatically identifying and reporting update requirements based on state comparison.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to detecting needed updates. In aspects, an update agent receives a request to scan for updates for a target. The target may include a virtual or non-virtual device. The request may include one or more rules that indicate resources to check to determine attributes of the device. The update agent utilizes a resource accessor to access the resources indicated by the rules. The resource accessor maps resource names indicated by the update agent to corresponding resource names of the target. The update agent may provide results of evaluating the rules to an update source in a multi-pass protocol designed to eliminate irrelevant updates.