Efficiently restoring execution of a backed up virtual machine based on coordination with virtual-machine-file-relocation operations
First Claim
1. A computer-readable medium, excluding transitory propagating signals, storing instructions that, when executed by a computing device comprising one or more hardware processors and computer memory, cause the computing device to perform operations for restoring execution of a virtual machine on a host computing device, based on coordination with a virtual-machine-file-relocation operation, the operations comprising:
- copying a first set of data blocks, which are based on an operational profile of the virtual machine, from a backup copy of the virtual machine to a data storage location configured on the computing device,wherein the computing device is distinct from the host computing device for executing the virtual machine, andwherein the backup copy of the virtual machine comprises at least one of a configuration file and a virtual disk associated with the virtual machine;
copying a second set of data blocks from the backup copy to the data storage location configured on the computing device,wherein the virtual-machine-file-relocation operation logically transfers the backup copy, according to a relocation sequence, to a primary storage device in communication with the host computing device, andwherein the second set of data blocks is based on the relocation sequence;
serving a read request for a data block issued by the virtual machine which executes on the host computing device,wherein the read request is directed at a shared file system configured on the computing device as a recovery point for the virtual machine and as a source of data for the virtual-machine-file-relocation operation; and
wherein the serving of the read request comprises;
(i) copying the requested data block from the backup copy to the data storage location configured on the computing device if the requested data block is not found therein, and(ii) transmitting to the virtual machine the requested data block from the data storage location configured on the computing device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods enable a virtual machine, including applications executing thereon, to quickly start executing and servicing users based on pre-staged data blocks supplied from a backup copy in secondary storage. Substantially concurrently with the ongoing execution of the virtual machine, a virtual-machine-file-relocation operation moves data blocks from backup to a primary storage destination that becomes the virtual machine'"'"'s primary data store after relocation completes. An enhanced data agent, operating in conjunction with an enhanced media agent in a storage management system, coordinates restoring the virtual machine and launching the relocation operation. The enhanced media agent pre-stages certain backed up data blocks based on predictive analysis pertaining to the virtual machine'"'"'s operational profile. The enhanced media agent also pre-stages backed up data blocks for the relocation operation, based on the operation'"'"'s relocation scheme. The media agent tracks read requests and maintains the contents of an associated read cache.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A computer-readable medium, excluding transitory propagating signals, storing instructions that, when executed by a computing device comprising one or more hardware processors and computer memory, cause the computing device to perform operations for restoring execution of a virtual machine on a host computing device, based on coordination with a virtual-machine-file-relocation operation, the operations comprising:
-
copying a first set of data blocks, which are based on an operational profile of the virtual machine, from a backup copy of the virtual machine to a data storage location configured on the computing device, wherein the computing device is distinct from the host computing device for executing the virtual machine, and wherein the backup copy of the virtual machine comprises at least one of a configuration file and a virtual disk associated with the virtual machine; copying a second set of data blocks from the backup copy to the data storage location configured on the computing device, wherein the virtual-machine-file-relocation operation logically transfers the backup copy, according to a relocation sequence, to a primary storage device in communication with the host computing device, and wherein the second set of data blocks is based on the relocation sequence; serving a read request for a data block issued by the virtual machine which executes on the host computing device, wherein the read request is directed at a shared file system configured on the computing device as a recovery point for the virtual machine and as a source of data for the virtual-machine-file-relocation operation; and wherein the serving of the read request comprises; (i) copying the requested data block from the backup copy to the data storage location configured on the computing device if the requested data block is not found therein, and (ii) transmitting to the virtual machine the requested data block from the data storage location configured on the computing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A storage management system for restoring execution of a virtual machine on a host computing device, based on coordination with a virtual-machine-file-relocation operation, the storage management system comprising:
-
a first computing device comprising one or more hardware processors and computer memory, and comprising a shared file system configured as a recovery point for the virtual machine and as a source of data for the virtual-machine-file-relocation operation; a host computing device for executing the virtual machine, wherein the host computing device is distinct from the first computing device and comprises one or more hardware processors and computer memory; wherein the first computing device is configured to; copy a first set of data blocks, which are based on an operational profile of the virtual machine, from a backup copy of the virtual machine to a data storage location configured on the first computing device, wherein the backup copy of the virtual machine comprises at least one of a configuration file and a virtual disk associated with the virtual machine, copy a second set of data blocks from the backup copy to the data storage location configured on the first computing device, wherein the virtual-machine-file-relocation operation logically transfers the backup copy, according to a relocation sequence, to a primary storage device in communication with the host computing device, and wherein the second set of data blocks is based on the relocation sequence, serve a read request for a data block issued by the virtual machine which executes on the host computing device, wherein the read request is directed at the shared file system configured on the first computing device; and wherein to serve the read request the first computing device is further configured to; (i) copy the requested data block from the backup copy to the data storage location configured on the first computing device if the requested data block is not found therein, and (ii) transmit to the virtual machine the requested data block from the data storage location configured on the first computing device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification