Dynamic I/O Device Assignment in Virtual Machines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual machine systems can only statically assign I/O devices, requiring system reboot for configuration changes, limiting flexibility in managing hardware resources during operation.
Innovation Solution
A virtual machine system with a device model module that dynamically controls I/O device access by enabling or disabling devices in the hardware space, allowing for real-time changes without rebooting, using a device state module and dynamic assigning device command program.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If static device assignment is used in virtual machine systems, then system stability is maintained, but device configuration flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic device assignment by enabling the hypervisor to modify device models and their associated hardware resources at runtime without requiring guest OS reboots. The device model structure allows dynamic addition, removal, and reconfiguration of I/O devices while maintaining system stability through controlled virtualization layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state parameters of device models dynamically. By modifying the enabled/disabled state of devices within the device model without altering the fundamental virtual machine structure, the system achieves flexible reconfiguration. The configuration information structure allows runtime updates to device parameters such as resource allocation and accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If device models provide full hardware platform information to guest OS, then device accessibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hardware platform into discrete device models, each representing a specific hardware component or resource. This segmentation allows the hypervisor to manage complex hardware resources through simplified virtual representations. Each device model can be independently configured and managed, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining full hardware accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The device model acts as an intermediary between the physical hardware and the guest operating system. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of hardware management from the guest OS, providing a simplified interface for device access. The hypervisor uses device models to mediate all hardware interactions, maintaining accessibility while managing complexity at the virtualization layer.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for dynamic assigning I/O device in virtual machine system, the virtual machine system comprises a service OS, a hypervisor and at least one guest OS. The service OS contains a device model module, the device model module providing an access platform for I/O device to the guest OS. The guest OS access the device model module through the hypervisor. One device state module for dynamic reflecting the device's state is increased in the device model module, the device state module dynamic altering the register condition of the device in hardware space. It is possible to dynamic control the access to I/O device by the guest OS by using the control panel in the service OS to dynamic alter the device's state in the device state module. One agent module is increased in guest OS, for altering the device's state in guest OS anytime based on the change of the device state.