Generic Hypervisor-VM Channel for Container Network Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Software-defined networking (SDN) solutions often lack native networking support for containers, particularly in platforms like PAAS and CAAS, which can hinder the communication of network interface configuration data between hypervisors and virtual machines, leading to challenges in setting up network interfaces for new containers.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced for establishing a generic channel between a hypervisor and a virtual machine to securely exchange information, including network interface configuration data, using packets with specific headers and identifiers, allowing the hypervisor to communicate network configuration data generated by the SDN control plane to the virtual machine, enabling secure and efficient network setup for containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If SDN control plane generates network interface configuration data, then network configuration capability is improved, but communication mechanism between hypervisor and VM is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication channel as an intermediary mechanism between the hypervisor and VM. This channel includes a sender component in the hypervisor and a receiver component in the VM, which mediates the transmission of network interface configuration data generated by the SDN control plane. The intermediary channel provides a structured protocol with headers, payloads, and sequence numbers to ensure reliable delivery without requiring complex direct communication logic between hypervisor and VM.
2Adaptability or versatility
If native networking support is added to PAAS/CAAS solutions, then container networking capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication channel that can handle multiple types of messages including network interface configuration data, status updates, and control commands. This multi-functional channel works across different PAAS and CAAS solutions (such as Cloud Foundry, Kubernetes, and Openshift) without requiring solution-specific networking support. The channel's ability to carry various message types through a standardized protocol provides container networking capability while avoiding the complexity of implementing separate native networking support for each platform.
3Productivity
If communication channel is established between hypervisor and VM, then information exchange efficiency is improved, but packet processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a pre-established communication channel between hypervisor and VM that is set up in advance before actual data exchange occurs. The channel includes pre-configured sender and receiver components with agreed-upon protocols, headers, and formatting rules. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for complex runtime negotiation and processing, allowing efficient information exchange once the channel is active. The sequence numbers and acknowledgments are handled through pre-defined protocols that minimize processing overhead during actual data transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments described herein are generally directed to configuring a generic channel for exchanging information between a hypervisor and a virtual machine run by the hypervisor that resides on a host machine. In some embodiments, the generic channel represents a network or communication path enabled by a logical switch that connects a HyperBus running on the hypervisor and a node agent running on the virtual machine. In some embodiments, network traffic handled by the generic channel is isolated from incoming and outgoing network traffic between the virtual machine and one or more other virtual machines or hosts.