Emulated Switch Architecture for Multiple Hot-Pluggable Devices

The patent creates virtual copies of physical storage devices through virtualization. Virtual storage devices are presented to virtual machines as if they were physical devices, allowing dynamic allocation without physical reconfiguration. The virtualization layer copies the interface and functionality of physical storage devices, enabling flexible resource distribution while maintaining simplicity in the physical infrastructure.

The patent introduces a virtualization layer as an intermediary between physical storage devices and virtual machines. This intermediary layer manages the mapping and allocation of storage resources, abstracting the complexity from both the physical hardware and the virtual machines. The virtualization layer handles device assignment, resource management, and dynamic reconfiguration without requiring changes to the physical hardware setup.

The patent implements self-service capabilities through automated virtualization management. The system can dynamically allocate, assign, and reconfigure storage resources without requiring manual physical intervention. Virtual machines can be assigned storage devices through software-based resource management, enabling administrators to perform operations remotely without needing to physically access or reconfigure hardware switches and interconnects.

The patent replaces mechanical physical switching and cable reconfiguration with software-based virtualization. Instead of physically plugging and unplugging interconnects or reconfiguring hardware switches, the system uses virtual device assignment and software-controlled resource allocation. This substitution eliminates the need for physical hardware manipulation while maintaining dynamic resource allocation capabilities.

The patent makes physical storage devices universal and multi-functional through virtualization. A single physical storage device can be dynamically assigned to multiple different virtual machines at different times, serving multiple functions and purposes. The virtualization layer allows the same physical resource to be shared and reused across different virtual environments, eliminating the need for dedicated physical devices for each virtual machine and reducing overall hardware requirements.

The patent merges multiple physical storage devices into a virtualized resource pool that can be dynamically allocated. Instead of maintaining separate physical devices for each virtual machine, the system combines physical resources into a shared pool managed by the virtualization layer. This merging approach allows efficient resource utilization and reduces the total quantity of hardware needed while maintaining flexible allocation capabilities.