IP Library Granted Patent US 8,429,649
Granted Patent B1
US 8,429,649 · App. 12/566,231 · Granted Apr 23, 2013

Systems and methods for data management in a virtual computing environment

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,429,649
App. No.
12/566,231
Granted
Apr 23, 2013
Kind
B1
Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for performing operations on a host system with one or more virtual machines without persistently storing an agent or daemon thereon. In certain examples, a management server is configured to inject dependencies, such as binary data, over a network to the host system for performing a requested operation. For instance, systems and methods can establish a secure shell (SSH) port forwarding connection through which dependencies stored on the management server are injected into a service console of the host system. The injected dependencies can then be executed and/or used to perform the requested operation, such as a backup or compression operation on virtual machine data. Once the requested operation has completed, the injected binaries are preferably removed from the host system so as to conserve system resources.

Claims (30)

1. A method for performing one or more operations on virtual machine data, the method comprising:

receiving with a management server a request to perform a backup operation on data of one or more virtual machines hosted by a host virtual machine server that is configured to host one or more virtual machines associated with a hypervisor layer, the host virtual machine server having a service console associated therewith that administers the one or more virtual machines, the host virtual machine server being remote to the management server, the management server and the host virtual machine server comprising computer hardware;

identifying a plurality of dependencies comprising binary code associated with the requested backup operation of the data on the one or more virtual machines;

searching the host virtual machine server to identify a first group of dependencies comprising one or more of the plurality of dependencies that are available on the host virtual machine server, and a second group of dependencies comprising one or more of the plurality of dependencies that are not available on the host virtual machine server;

for the second group of dependencies that are not available on the host virtual machine server, injecting the second group of dependencies over a port forwarding connection from the management server to the service console of the host virtual machine server;

echoing a script file from the management server to the host virtual machine server prior to said injecting the second group of dependencies over the port forwarding connection from the management server to the service console of the host virtual machine server, the script file being configured to bind to a local port of the host virtual machine server to receive the injected second group of dependencies;

executing using the service console to execute in the hypervisor layer of the host virtual machine server the first and second groups of dependencies to perform the requested backup operation on the virtual machine data, such that said executing is performed without installing an agent or a daemon in the service console of the host virtual machine server; and

following said executing, retaining the first group of dependencies at the host virtual machine server and removing the injected second group of dependencies from the service console of the host server.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the port forwarding connection comprises a secure shell (SSH) connection.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the script file is configured to write the injected second group of dependencies to a designated path on the host server.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the injected second group of dependencies comprises a plurality of executable files.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the at least one of the injected second group of dependencies comprises at least one of the plurality of executable files.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the injected second group of dependencies comprises at least a plurality of data files.

7. The method of claim 1 , comprising establishing a shell connection with the host virtual machine server via the management server.

8. A system for performing one or more operations in a virtual computing environment, the system comprising:

a management server in network communication with a remote server hosting at least one virtual machine, the management server and the host remote server comprising computer hardware, wherein the remote server is configured to host the at least one virtual machine with a hypervisor layer, the remote server having a service console associated therewith that administers the one or more virtual machines, the management server further comprising:

a library comprising a plurality of dependencies, the plurality of dependencies comprising at least one binary file, and

an injection module configured to identify select ones of the plurality of dependencies that are associated with performing a backup operation on at least one of virtual machine data and the hypervisor layer, the injection module being further configured to:

initiate a communication session between the management server and the remote server,

search the remote server to identify a first group of dependencies comprising one or more of the plurality of dependencies that are available on the remote server, and a second group of dependencies comprising one or more of the plurality of dependencies that are not available on the remote server;

for the second group of dependencies that are not available on the remote server, inject the second group dependencies over a network connection to the service console of the remote server,

echo a script file from the management server to the remote server prior to the injection of the second group of dependencies over the network connection to the remote server, the script file configured to bind to a port of the remote server to receive the injected second group of dependencies,

issue a first command to the service console to execute on the remote server the first group of dependencies and the injected second group of dependencies to perform the backup operation, wherein said execution of the injected second group of dependencies is performed without installing an agent or a daemon on the remote server, and

issue a second command to terminate the session; and

retain the first group of dependencies at the remote server and remove from the remote server the injected second group of dependencies such that none of the injected second group of dependencies remains on the remote server following said termination of the session.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the infected second group of dependencies comprise a plurality of binary files.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the network connection comprises a secure shell (SSH) connection.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the management server further comprises a shell interface configured to receive user commands associated with initiation of the session.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the backup operation backs up at least a portion of the virtual machine data.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the backup operation comprises a compression operation on the virtual machine data.

Assignments (32)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2025
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: QUEST SOFTWARE INC.; ANALYTIX DATA SERVICES INC.; BINARYTREE.COM LLC; ERWIN, INC.
Reel/Frame 073606/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 18, 2025
From: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: QUEST SOFTWARE INC.; ANALYTIX DATA SERVICES INC.; BINARYTREE.COM LLC; ERWIN, INC.
Reel/Frame 073613/0326 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 8, 2025
From: QUEST SOFTWARE INC.; ANALYTIX DATA SERVICES INC.; ERWIN, INC.
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC
Reel/Frame 071527/0649 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 8, 2025
From: QUEST SOFTWARE INC.; ANALYTIX DATA SERVICES INC.; ERWIN, INC.
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC
Reel/Frame 071527/0001 →
RELEASE OF FIRST LIEN SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 2, 2022
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: QUEST SOFTWARE INC.
Reel/Frame 059105/0479 →
FIRST LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 2, 2022
From: QUEST SOFTWARE INC.; ANALYTIX DATA SERVICES INC.; BINARYTREE.COM LLC; ERWIN, INC.; ONE IDENTITY LLC; ONELOGIN, INC.; ONE IDENTITY SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
Reel/Frame 058945/0778 →
SECOND LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 2, 2022
From: QUEST SOFTWARE INC.; ANALYTIX DATA SERVICES INC.; BINARYTREE.COM LLC; ERWIN, INC.; ONE IDENTITY LLC; ONELOGIN, INC.; ONE IDENTITY SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 058952/0279 →
RELEASE OF SECOND LIEN SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 2, 2022
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: QUEST SOFTWARE INC.
Reel/Frame 059096/0683 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 7, 2018
From: QUEST SOFTWARE INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 046327/0347 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 7, 2018
From: QUEST SOFTWARE INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 046327/0486 →
RELEASE OF FIRST LIEN SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT R/F 040581/0850 Recorded May 22, 2018
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: QUEST SOFTWARE INC. (F/K/A DELL SOFTWARE INC.); AVENTAIL LLC
Reel/Frame 046211/0735 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 6, 2017
From: DELL SOFTWARE INC.
To: QUEST SOFTWARE INC.
Reel/Frame 044800/0848 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 040587 FRAME: 0624. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Nov 28, 2017
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: QUEST SOFTWARE INC. (F/K/A DELL SOFTWARE INC.); AVENTAIL LLC
Reel/Frame 044811/0598 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 11, 2017
From: DELL SOFTWARE INC.
To: QUEST SOFTWARE INC.
Reel/Frame 043811/0564 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 10, 2016
From: DELL SOFTWARE INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040587/0624 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 9, 2016
From: DELL SOFTWARE INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040581/0850 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN CERTAIN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (040039/0642) Recorded Oct 31, 2016
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
To: AVENTAIL LLC; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.
Reel/Frame 040521/0016 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 31, 2016
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: AVENTAIL LLC; DELL PRODUCTS, L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.
Reel/Frame 040521/0467 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0618 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: AVENTAIL LLC; DELL PRODUCTS, L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040030/0187 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: AVENTAIL LLC; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040039/0642 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040040/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0216 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031898/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031899/0261 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031897/0348 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 20, 2013
From: QUEST SOFTWARE, INC.
To: DELL SOFTWARE INC.
Reel/Frame 031043/0281 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 6, 2013
From: VIZIONCORE, INC.
To: QUEST SOFTWARE, INC.
Reel/Frame 029932/0342 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL Recorded Sep 28, 2012
From: WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC (FORMERLY KNOWN AS WELLS FARGO FOOTHILL, LLC)
To: QUEST SOFTWARE, INC.; AELITA SOFTWARE CORPORATION; SCRIPTLOGIC CORPORATION; VIZIONCORE, INC.; NETPRO COMPUTING, INC.
Reel/Frame 029050/0679 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 16, 2011
From: KHERSON, DIMITRY
To: VIZIONCORE, INC.
Reel/Frame 026756/0046 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 16, 2011
From: FEATHERGILL, DAVID ALLEN
To: QUEST SOFTWARE, INC.
Reel/Frame 026756/0009 →
AMENDMENT NUMBER SEVEN TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 20, 2011
From: QUEST SOFTWARE, INC.; AELITA SOFTWARE CORPORATION; SCRIPTLOGIC CORPORATION; VIZIONCORE, INC.; NETPRO COMPUTING, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 026159/0409 →