SR-IOV VF PF Command Transmission via Hardware Message Queue

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing command information transmission methods between Virtual Function (VF) ports and Physical Function (PF) ports in SR-IOV virtualization technology are dependent on VMM software frameworks, inefficient, and resource-intensive, leading to hardware resource occupation and low transmission efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method that parses interrupt requests to identify target VF ports, determines corresponding physical-side interrupt handlers, and uses device memory overlap regions for command information transmission, independent of VMM software frameworks, reducing hardware resource usage and enhancing efficiency through interrupt handling and memory mapping techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If memory sharing with software is used to transmit commands between VF port and PF port, then communication can be achieved, but it depends on VMM software framework support and has limited compatibility

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidsoftware framework dependence

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a hardware message queue as an intermediary component between VF port and PF port. This message queue operates at the hardware level, eliminating dependence on VMM software frameworks while providing a universal communication mechanism that works across different software environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the software-based command transmission mechanism with a hardware-based message queue system. By substituting software processing with hardware-level message queuing, the system achieves framework-independent operation and improved transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If software pipeline technology is used to transmit messages between VF port and PF port, then communication can be achieved, but transmission efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidmessage transmission time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces software pipeline processing with hardware-level message queue operations. This substitution enables parallel processing and eliminates software execution overhead, dramatically improving transmission efficiency and reducing message transmission time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The message queue is pre-configured with command slots and interrupt vectors before operation begins. Commands are queued in advance with pre-assigned interrupt handlers, eliminating runtime processing delays and enabling immediate execution when resources are available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If hardware queue technology is used to complete communication between VF port and PF port, then VMM software framework support is not needed, but plenty of hardware resources are occupied and chip hardware area is enlarged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware framework independenceVSAvoidchip hardware area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The message queue is segmented into multiple independent command slots, each capable of holding a separate command. This segmentation allows the hardware to process multiple commands in parallel while using a compact fixed-size structure, reducing overall hardware area requirements compared to a monolithic queue implementation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The message queue is designed as a universal hardware structure that can handle different types of commands and configurations without requiring additional hardware components. The same queue infrastructure serves multiple communication scenarios, maximizing hardware utilization and minimizing area occupation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11868799B2Command information transmission method, system, and apparatus, and readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2024.01.09 INSPUR SUZHOU INTELLIGENT TECH CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed in the present disclosure is a command information transmission method, applied to a Physical Function (PF) port. The method includes: parsing a received interrupt request to obtain a target Virtual Function (VF) port; determining a target physical-side interrupt handler corresponding to the target VF port; obtaining target command information corresponding to the target physical-side interrupt handler in a device memory overlap region, where the device memory overlap region is an overlap region obtained by performing memory mapping on the PF port and each VF port in a host address space by a device memory overlap mapping technology; and executing switching to the target physical-side interrupt handler, and performing a response operation on the target command information.