Paravirtualized Wireless Interface for Guest VM Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current virtualization technologies are not suitable for controlling wireless devices within guest virtual machines, as they lack a control path for wireless interfaces, preventing users from accessing wireless networks and causing issues with device state serialization and migration.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for paravirtualizing a wireless interface, where frames of data are processed through standard interfaces and converted by a virtual wireless interface to enable guest-controlled wireless operations, allowing users to select and authenticate to wireless networks while maintaining compatibility with host devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If software emulation is used to abstract and share a physical NIC, then network packet forwarding is enabled, but wireless device control capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork packet forwardingVSAvoidwireless device control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the wireless interface control into two distinct paths: a data path for packet forwarding through the virtual network switch, and a control path for wireless device management through the paravirtualized interface. This allows simultaneous support for both network forwarding and wireless control operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a paravirtualized wireless interface as an intermediary layer between the guest virtual machine and the physical wireless device. This intermediary enables control operations while maintaining the virtualization abstraction, allowing guest VMs to control wireless devices without breaking the virtualization model.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If PCI-passthrough connection is used for device control, then guest virtual machine control is enabled, but host visibility and state serialization are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguest virtual machine controlVSAvoidhost visibility of device state

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The paravirtualized wireless interface acts as an intermediary that the guest VM interacts with, which then communicates with the physical wireless device through the host. This maintains host visibility into device state while enabling guest control, avoiding the information loss associated with direct PCI-passthrough.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a new dimension to the control architecture by introducing a paravirtualized control layer between the guest and physical device. This additional layer provides both guest control capability and host visibility simultaneously, resolving the contradiction by operating in a different architectural dimension.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If PCI-passthrough is used, then device control is simplified, but memory pinning requirements increase complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol mechanismVSAvoidmemory pinning configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The paravirtualized interface serves as an intermediary that handles memory management and device control communications. This intermediary abstracts away the complex memory pinning requirements from the guest VM, maintaining simple control mechanisms while eliminating the need for complex host-side memory pinning configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If standard virtual network switching is used, then network connectivity is provided, but wireless control path is absent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidwireless control capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network interface functionality into data forwarding operations handled by the virtual network switch and control operations handled by the paravirtualized wireless interface. This segmentation enables both standard network connectivity and wireless device control capability to coexist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The paravirtualized wireless interface provides multi-functionality by handling both data packet forwarding (like a standard virtual NIC) and wireless device control operations. This universal interface combines the capabilities of both standard virtual networking and wireless device control into a single integrated solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9042304B2Controlling a paravirtualized wireless interface from a guest virtual machine

Publication Date: 2015.05.26 VMWARE INC

AI summary

A method, system and an apparatus to paravirtualize a wireless interface is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method receives a frame of data for a wireless service through a wireless interface of a host device using a processor. If the frame of data is associated with a first type of category, the frame of data is processed through a first standard interface. If the frame of data is associated with a second type of category, the frame is processed through a second standard interface. The method then sends the frame of data processed through the first standard interface or the second standard interface to a guest. A virtual wireless interface associated the guest that is emulating the wireless interface of the host device converts the frame of data processed through the first standard interface to the second standard of communication.