Virtual Machine UUID Host Identification via Embedded Prefix

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current virtualization technologies face challenges in efficiently managing the association between virtual machines and their host processors, particularly in large-scale data centers, as existing methods rely on cumbersome external mapping tables that require constant updating and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a modified UUID system, where a virtual machine's UUID includes a private UUID generated based on its host processor's UUID, allowing for direct identification of the host processor without relying on external records, using a hypervisor to dynamically generate these UUIDs and eliminate the need for separate mapping tables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external mapping tables are used to track virtual machine to host associations, then the associations can be recorded, but the complexity of management increases and constant updating is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirtual machine to host association trackingVSAvoidmanagement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the host identification information directly into the virtual machine's UUID by embedding the host processor's UUID as a prefix in the virtual machine's UUID. This eliminates the need for separate external mapping tables, reducing management complexity while maintaining reliable association tracking between virtual machines and their host processors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of information

If separate mapping tables are maintained for virtual machine associations, then tracking is possible, but the effort and time for updating increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassociation information retentionVSAvoidupdate time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by embedding the host processor's UUID into the virtual machine's UUID at the moment of virtual machine creation. This pre-established identification relationship eliminates the need for subsequent updates when tracking virtual machine to host associations, saving time and effort while preserving association information throughout the virtual machine's lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If UUIDs are generated without host identification integration, then virtual machine uniqueness is achieved, but host identification capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirtual machine identification precisionVSAvoidhost processor identification difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the UUID structure to incorporate host identification information. The virtual machine's UUID is structured to include the host processor's UUID as a prefix, followed by additional bits that uniquely identify the virtual machine among those running on the same host. This segmentation maintains virtual machine identification precision while enabling easy host processor identification through the embedded host UUID portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11989333B2Method and apparatus for managing identification of a virtual machine and a host within a virtual domain

Publication Date: 2024.05.21 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, identifying a request to install a guest virtual machine on a physical host; identifying a UUID of the physical host; generating a virtual machine reference value; defining a modified UUID of the guest virtual machine comprising the UUID of the physical host and the virtual machine reference value; and assigning the modified UUID to the guest virtual machine, the physical host being identifiable via the modified UUID of the guest virtual machine. Other embodiments are disclosed.