Peripheral Virtualization Management Device for Client Hardware
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtualized computing services typically require clients to use hardware servers selected by the service operator, limiting the use of specialized or customized hardware for compute instances, as clients cannot easily transfer software licenses or utilize custom components.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of peripheral virtualization management devices (PVMDs) that allow clients to configure compute instances on client-selected hardware servers, using industry-standard connectivity and encapsulation protocols to provide isolated virtual networks and access to storage and network resources, enabling the use of specialized hardware and flexible network configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the service operator selects hardware servers for compute instances, then the service operator can manage and control the computing resources, but the client cannot use specialized or customized hardware for their specific needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a peripheral virtualization management device as an intermediary component that bridges the client's custom hardware and the cloud service provider's virtualization infrastructure. This device, which can be a peripheral virtualization management card or similar component, enables clients to deploy compute instances on their own selected hardware while maintaining virtualization benefits and service provider control through standardized connectivity interfaces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If clients use client-selected hardware servers, then they can utilize specialized equipment and customize their infrastructure, but the service operator loses direct control over the hardware configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral virtualization management device serves as a controlled intermediary that receives management commands from the service provider and translates them into hardware-specific operations. This maintains service provider control and reliability while allowing client hardware customization, as the intermediary enforces service level agreements and security policies regardless of the underlying hardware selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the virtualization management function from the hardware infrastructure. By separating the virtualization management plane (handled by the peripheral device) from the hardware plane (client-selected servers), the system allows independent optimization of each layer while maintaining overall control and reliability through the managed intermediary layer.
3Ease of operation
If compute instances are deployed on standardized provider servers, then service management is simplified, but clients cannot reduce data transfer distances for their specific geographical or network needs
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral virtualization management device acts as a localized intermediary that enables compute instances to be deployed on client-selected hardware closer to the data sources or geographical locations where clients operate. This reduces data transfer distances and improves network performance while the intermediary maintains simplified service management by abstracting the hardware diversity behind standardized connectivity protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A peripheral device includes one or more processors and a memory storing program instructions that when executed implement an extension manager of a virtualized computing service. The extension manager establishes a secure network channel for communications between the peripheral device, which is located at a premise external to a provider network, and a data center of the provider network. The extension manager assigns a network address of the substrate network of the service to a hardware server at the external premise. The substrate address is also assigned to an extension traffic intermediary at the data center. In response to a command directed to the virtualized computing service, one or more compute instance configuration operations are performed at the hardware server.