SR-IOV NIC Data Path Failover via Virtual Function Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy failover mechanisms for single root input/output virtualization (SR-IOV) network interface controllers (NIC) cards are costly and inefficient, as they require switching between SR-IOV cards, which is not supported for single or multiple port SR-IOV adaptors, and do not effectively handle data path failures in information handling systems.
Innovation Solution
An IOV failover module (FM) that enables a physical function driver in a service virtual machine to access and configure virtual functions within the SR-IOV NIC card, using a health monitoring module to monitor data paths and initiate failover by migrating virtual functions to redundant paths, and if consecutive failures occur, enables configuration of alternate physical functions on additional available ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If legacy failover mechanism switches from one SR-IOV card to another, then failover capability is provided, but cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the SR-IOV card into multiple virtual functions (VFs) that can be independently migrated. Instead of switching entire physical cards, the system divides functionality into manageable VF units that can be relocated to different physical functions or ports, reducing the complexity and cost of failover while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtualization layer (hypervisor/VMM) as an intermediary between the physical SR-IOV card and virtual machines. This intermediary enables flexible VF migration and failover management without requiring direct physical card switching, thereby reducing complexity while preserving failover capability.
2Reliability
If legacy failover mechanism switches from one SR-IOV card to another, then failover capability is provided, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures multiple physical functions (PFs) and virtual functions (VFs) within the SR-IOV card, and pre-establishes mapping relationships between them. When failover is needed, the system can quickly migrate VFs between pre-configured PFs without requiring complex real-time decision-making or resource allocation, thereby improving operational efficiency while maintaining failover reliability.
3Measurement precision
If health monitoring monitors data paths between VMs and VFs, then failure detection capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service health monitoring where the system automatically detects data path failures between VMs and VFs without requiring external intervention. The monitoring mechanism is integrated into the virtualization layer, enabling automatic failure detection and triggering failover processes, thereby improving detection capability while minimizing additional system complexity.
4Speed
If VF migration is performed to redundant VF, then failover speed is improved, but resource overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs virtual functions (VFs) to be universally configurable across multiple physical functions (PFs) and ports within the SR-IOV card. Each VF can be migrated to different PFs or ports as needed, enabling flexible failover without requiring dedicated redundant VFs for each scenario. This multi-functionality approach improves failover speed while reducing resource overhead by eliminating the need for excessive redundant components.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an information handling system (IHS) provide data path failover for a single root input/output virtualization network interface controller (SR-IOV NIC) card. According to one aspect, an IOV failover module (FM) enables a physical function (PF) driver in a service virtual machine (VM) to access physical resources and configure virtual functions (VFs) within the SR-IOV NIC card. The IOVFM monitors data paths established between VMs and VFs. If a data path fails, the IOVFM initiates a failover by migrating a VF coupled to a failed data path to an alternate VF. However, if a threshold number of consecutive failed migration attempts occurs and the SR-IOV NIC card has an additional and available port(s), the IOVFM migrates the VF to an alternate VF of the available port. The IOVFM enables the VM to access and configure the alternate VF of the available port via a failover data path.