Distributed Virtual Switch for Multi-SoC Ethernet Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for providing Ethernet connectivity to multiple systems on a chip (SoCs) and virtual machines within them are costly, inefficient, and do not fully support automotive-grade requirements, such as quality-of-service and isolation, especially in the context of automotive applications.
Innovation Solution
A distributed virtual switch is implemented across multiple SoCs, providing a virtualized Ethernet link and optimized data path for virtual machines, reducing hardware requirements and CPU load, while ensuring spatial and temporal isolation through software components and hardware-accelerated data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each SoC is provided with a dedicated Ethernet connection to a dedicated port of an Ethernet switch, then Ethernet connectivity for each SoC is ensured, but the cost and hardware complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple SoCs share a single Ethernet connection through the distributed virtual switch architecture. Instead of dedicating separate physical Ethernet ports to each SoC, the patent combines multiple SoC network interfaces into a single shared connection that is virtualized to provide isolated Ethernet connectivity to each SoC and its virtual machines.
Solution Approach 2:
The single shared Ethernet connection serves multiple SoCs simultaneously through the distributed virtual switch. The virtual switch enables this universal connection to function as multiple dedicated connections by creating virtual Ethernet interfaces for each SoC and virtual machine, providing dedicated connectivity functionality without requiring dedicated physical ports.
2Reliability
If PCIe switch with NTB ports is used to connect SoCs, then Ethernet connectivity between SoCs is achieved, but the cost increases and automotive market requirements are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple standard PCIe connections into a single shared Ethernet connection. Instead of requiring expensive PCIe switches with NTB ports for each SoC connection, the solution merges all SoC network traffic through one shared Ethernet link, using software-based virtualization to maintain isolation and connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed virtual switch creates virtual copies of Ethernet interfaces for each SoC and virtual machine. Rather than requiring physical duplicate hardware connections, the patent uses software to copy and virtualize the Ethernet connection, providing each SoC with its own virtual Ethernet interface that appears dedicated but shares the physical infrastructure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If software-based virtualization of Ethernet connectivity is used inside SoCs, then Ethernet connectivity for virtual machines is provided, but additional Ethernet frame copies are necessary which increases CPU load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the Ethernet frame copying operation from the CPU processing path and places it in the hardware of the distributed virtual switch. The virtual switch hardware directly forwards Ethernet frames between virtual machines and SoCs without requiring CPU intervention for each frame copy, thereby reducing CPU load while maintaining virtualization functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed virtual switch acts as an intermediary between virtual machines and the physical Ethernet network. It mediates Ethernet frame forwarding between multiple SoCs and virtual machines, handling the frame copying and routing in hardware rather than requiring each SoC's CPU to perform the copying operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If hardware-supported virtualization with dedicated Rx/Tx queues and DMA channels for each virtual machine is used, then Ethernet connectivity virtualization is achieved, but additional hardware is required which increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The distributed virtual switch uses a universal shared hardware infrastructure that serves multiple virtual machines and SoCs simultaneously. Instead of requiring dedicated hardware resources like separate Rx/Tx queues and DMA channels for each virtual machine, the patent creates a multi-functional hardware platform that dynamically allocates resources to serve multiple virtualization instances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses software-based copying to create virtual Ethernet interfaces rather than requiring physical hardware copies. The distributed virtual switch software creates virtual representations of Ethernet connections for each virtual machine, allowing multiple virtual machines to share the same physical hardware resources without requiring duplicate hardware components.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device, in particular for automotive applications, includes Ethernet connectivity for virtual machines on several systems on a chip. A vehicle comprises such a computing device. The computing device comprises two or more systems on a chip, each system on a chip comprising one or more virtual machines, wherein one system on a chip provides a connection to an Ethernet network, and wherein the two or more systems on a chip are connected by a switch. 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.