Core-Trunking Across Separated Processors for Virtual Machines

Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of manually partitioning resources, such as processor-related and memory-related resources, for virtual machines in network devices complicates the creation and management of virtual machines in core-based virtualization.

Innovation Solution

A network device with multiple processor cores provides core-based virtualization by automatically allocating memory resources with each core, simplifying the allocation of processing and memory resources by assigning a discrete number of cores to each virtual machine, thereby simplifying the configuration and management of virtual machines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual partitioning of processor and memory resources is used for virtual machines, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but system complexity and configuration difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines processor cores and memory resources into integrated units where each core has its associated memory resources automatically allocated to virtual machines. This merging eliminates the need for separate manual partitioning of processor and memory resources, reducing configuration complexity while maintaining allocation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a universal resource allocation mechanism where cores with their associated memory resources can be allocated as complete units to multiple virtual machines. This multi-functional approach allows the same core-memory units to serve different virtual machine configurations without requiring separate management of processor and memory resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual partitioning of processor and memory resources is used for virtual machines, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidconfiguration difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines processor cores and memory resources into integrated units where each core has its associated memory resources automatically allocated to virtual machines. This merging eliminates the need for separate manual partitioning of processor and memory resources, reducing configuration complexity while maintaining allocation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If cores from physically separated processors are allocated to a virtual machine, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidmanagement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a universal resource allocation mechanism where cores with their associated memory resources can be allocated as complete units to multiple virtual machines. This multi-functional approach allows the same core-memory units to serve different virtual machine configurations without requiring separate management of processor and memory resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a virtualization layer that acts as an intermediary between the physical processors and virtual machines. This intermediary manages the complex mappings between physically separated cores and virtual machine allocations, presenting a simplified interface to users while handling the complexity of cross-processor core trunking internally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9274851B2Core-trunking across cores on physically separated processors allocated to a virtual machine based on configuration information including context information for virtual machines

Publication Date: 2016.03.01 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE LTD

AI summary

Techniques for providing core-based virtualization based upon cores provided by one or more processors of a system. A device such as a network device comprising multiple processor cores provides for core-based virtualization. According to one embodiment, a network device is provided comprising a first subsystem for processing packets received by the network device. The first subsystem may comprise a set of one or more processors, the one or more processors providing a plurality of cores. Each core in the plurality of cores may have associated memory resources.