On-Premises Network Interface for Virtual PCI Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Migration of cloud services to on-premise server computers faces compatibility issues due to services executing on the same physical server causing communication disruptions, as they are designed to communicate over a PCI bus but are instead using a non-PCI bus.
Innovation Solution
A network interface is integrated on the same card or chip as the system fabric, allowing cloud services to communicate using a modified device driver that converts API requests into virtual PCI requests over a local bus, ensuring compatibility with the host's PCI bus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cloud services are migrated to on-premise server computers, then cost advantages and rapid adaptability are achieved, but communication compatibility is lost because services cannot properly communicate over the PCI bus when executing on the same physical server
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network interface as an intermediary component that sits between the PCI bus and the system fabric. This network interface includes a device driver that translates PCI bus communication protocols into appropriate internal bus protocols, enabling services to communicate correctly even when co-located on the same physical server. The network interface acts as a mediator that resolves the protocol incompatibility between external PCI bus expectations and internal system fabric communications.
2Device complexity
If services execute on the same physical server as virtual machines, then infrastructure consolidation is achieved, but communication disruptions occur due to protocol incompatibility between PCI bus and internal bus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the communication protocol parameters by implementing a device driver in the network interface that dynamically translates between PCI bus protocols and internal bus protocols. This parameter transformation allows the same physical infrastructure to support both external PCI bus communication requirements and internal system fabric communication, eliminating disruptions caused by protocol mismatches while maintaining infrastructure consolidation.
3Ease of manufacture
If a standard network interface is used without integration, then device modularity is maintained, but communication efficiency decreases due to lack of direct integration with system fabric
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the network interface with the system fabric by integrating them onto the same card or chip. This physical integration creates a direct communication path between the network interface and system fabric, eliminating the need for external PCI bus connections and significantly improving communication efficiency. The merging maintains ease of manufacture through standardized card form factors while achieving high-speed internal communication.
Data Source
AI summary
Cloud services, such as a storage service, are able to communicate through a virtual PCI request over a non-PCI bus by using a modified device driver that communicates with a network interface. One or more cloud services can execute on a same board or within a same Integrated Circuit (IC) as the network interface. The network interface adapts communications from the one or more services by allowing the services to use a PCI protocol despite that the services are not communicating with the network interface over a PCI bus.