Distributed Virtual Switch for Multi-SoC Ethernet Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for providing Ethernet connectivity to systems on a chip (SoCs) and virtual machines within them are costly, inefficient, and do not fully support automotive requirements, particularly in terms of cost sensitivity and compliance with quality-of-service standards, spatial and temporal isolation, and CPU load optimization.
Innovation Solution
A distributed virtual switch is implemented across multiple SoCs, providing a virtualized access to the Ethernet network for virtual machines, reducing the need for dedicated ports and PCIe switches, and utilizing hardware-accelerated data transfer to minimize CPU load and ensure efficient communication paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated network connection is provided to each SoC, then Ethernet connectivity for each SoC is ensured, but the cost and hardware complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple SoCs share a single physical Ethernet connection through a virtual switch that consolidates network access for all SoCs, eliminating the need for dedicated physical ports on each SoC while maintaining reliable Ethernet connectivity for all systems
Solution Approach 2:
A single Ethernet port and associated hardware are made universal by implementing a virtual switch that dynamically allocates and manages network access for multiple SoCs, allowing one physical connection to serve multiple functions and systems simultaneously
2Reliability
If PCIe switches with NTB ports are used to connect SoCs, then Ethernet connectivity is provided, but the cost increases and automotive requirements are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The solution replaces expensive PCIe switches with NTB ports with more cost-effective standard Ethernet switching hardware, achieving the same functional result while meeting automotive cost-sensitivity requirements without compromising connectivity reliability
3Adaptability or versatility
If software-based virtualization of Ethernet connectivity is used inside SoCs, then virtual machine access is enabled, but CPU load increases due to additional Ethernet frame copies
Solution Approach 1:
A virtual switch acts as an intermediary layer that manages Ethernet frame routing between virtual machines and physical network interfaces, reducing the need for multiple frame copies and associated CPU processing while enabling virtual machine access to the network
4Productivity
If hardware-supported virtualization with dedicated Rx/Tx queues and DMA channels is implemented, then virtual machine Ethernet connectivity is improved, but additional hardware is required increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
Existing Ethernet hardware resources including Rx/Tx queues and DMA channels are made universal by implementing a virtual switch that dynamically allocates and shares these hardware resources among multiple virtual machines, achieving high data throughput without requiring dedicated hardware for each VM
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device, in particular for automotive applications, with Ethernet connectivity for virtual machines on several systems on a chip are connected with point-to-point data links. The computing device includes two or more systems on a chip. One system on a chip is a root system on a chip, and the other systems on a chip are end point systems on a chip that are connected to the root system on a chip with point-to-point data links. Each system on a chip includes one or more virtual machines, and wherein one system on a chip provides a connection to an Ethernet network. The virtual machines are connected via a virtual Ethernet link. For this purpose, each system on a chip comprises an instance of a distributed virtual switch, which is configured to provide a virtualized access to the Ethernet network for the virtual machines of the respective system on a chip.