Network Resource Virtual Partitioning for Hardware Independence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network resource sharing and virtualization techniques fail to provide high manageability, hardware independence, and high performance, particularly in supporting bandwidth sharing and link aggregation across different hardware types, due to dependencies on specific hardware features and limitations in utilizing advanced network capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The method and apparatus for network resource virtual partitioning involve mapping hardware functions of physical network interface devices into virtual partitions, using a master-slave device aggregation model and dual-mode virtual network interface provider model, allowing independent operation and dynamic resource allocation among virtual partitions, which are configured to manage and operate hardware functions independently and aggregate resources across different hardware types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional network resource sharing techniques are used, then hardware utilization can be improved, but hardware independence and manageability deteriorate due to dependencies on specific hardware features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtualization layer as an intermediary between physical network devices and virtual network functions. This layer abstracts hardware-specific operations through virtual device drivers and translation mechanisms, enabling hardware independence while maintaining efficient resource utilization. The virtualization layer translates generic virtual network requests into hardware-specific operations, solving the contradiction between productivity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal virtual network interface cards (VNICs) that can operate across different hardware platforms. The virtual network stack and device drivers are designed to be hardware-agnostic, allowing the same virtual network functionality to run on diverse physical network devices from different vendors, thereby achieving both high hardware utilization and hardware independence.
2Adaptability or versatility
If network resource virtualization is implemented, then bandwidth sharing capability is improved, but manageability and performance deteriorate due to complexity in managing virtualized resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network stack into distinct virtualized components including virtual network interface cards, virtual switches, and isolated driver layers. This segmentation allows independent management and configuration of each virtual network function, simplifying overall manageability while enabling flexible bandwidth sharing. Each segment can be configured and managed separately, reducing the complexity of managing the entire virtualized network system.
3Speed
If hardware-specific virtualization techniques are used, then performance can be improved, but hardware independence deteriorates due to vendor-specific implementations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of network interface card functionality that replicate the essential operations of hardware-specific implementations without being tied to any single vendor's hardware. The virtual device drivers copy and abstract the core network operations, allowing high-performance network functions to run on diverse hardware platforms while maintaining hardware independence through software-based virtualization.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are disclosed for network resource virtual partitioning. An embodiment method includes mapping a plurality of hardware functions at a plurality of physical network interface devices into a plurality of virtual partitions (VPs) implemented using software, wherein the VPs are configured to manage and operate independent from one another the corresponding hardware functions at the physical network interface devises. An embodiment apparatus includes a processor configured to aggregate a plurality of hardware functions at a plurality of physical network interface devices into a plurality of virtual partition aggregations (VPAs), wherein the VPAs are configured to manage and operate independent from one another a plurality of corresponding subsets of the hardware functions to serve one or more clients.