Virtual machine snapshotting and damage containment
AssigneeSun Microsystems, Inc.
InventorsChristoph L. Schuba, Tim P. Marsland
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Some embodiments provide a system that manages the execution of a virtual machine. During operation, the system takes a series of snapshots of the virtual machine during execution of the virtual machine. If an abnormal operation of the virtual machine is detected, the system spawns a set of snapshot instances from one of the series of snapshots, wherein each of the snapshot instances is executed with one of a set of limitations. Next, the system determines a source of the abnormal operation using a snapshot instance from the snapshot instances that does not exhibit the abnormal operation. Finally, the system updates a state of the virtual machine using the snapshot instance.
Claims20
A computer-implemented method for managing the execution of a virtual machine, comprising:
- taking a series of snapshots of the virtual machine during execution of the virtual machine;
- if an abnormal operation of the virtual machine is detected:
- spawning a set of snapshot instances from one of the series of snapshots, wherein each of the snapshot instances is executed with one of a set of limitations;
- determining a source of the abnormal operation using a snapshot instance from the snapshot instances that does not exhibit the abnormal operation;
- and
- updating a state of the virtual machine using the snapshot instance.
A system for managing the execution of a virtual machine, comprising:
- an introspection module configured to monitor an execution of the virtual machine for abnormal operation;
- and
- a domain manager configured to take a series of snapshots of the virtual machine during the execution of the virtual machine,
- wherein if an abnormal operation of the virtual machine is detected:
- the domain manager is further configured to spawn a set of snapshot instances from one of the series of snapshots, wherein each of the snapshot instances is executed with one of a set of limitations;
- and
- the introspection module is further configured to determine a source of the abnormal operation using a snapshot instance from the snapshot instances that does not exhibit the abnormal operation.
A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for managing the execution of a virtual machine, the method comprising:
- taking a series of snapshots of the virtual machine during execution of the virtual machine;
- if an abnormal operation of the virtual machine is detected:
- spawning a set of snapshot instances from one of the series of snapshots, wherein each of the snapshot instances is executed with one of a set of limitations;
- determining a source of the abnormal operation using a snapshot instance from the snapshot instances that does not exhibit the abnormal operation;
- and
- updating a state of the virtual machine using the snapshot instance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.