Unique Function Identifiers for Virtual Server Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing routing identification schemes for peripheral component interconnect (PCI) devices in virtualization environments are limited, leading to time delays and resource consumption during virtual server deployment and migration, as they require frequent configuration alterations, which hinders flexibility in server virtualization.
Innovation Solution
A management system and method that assigns unique function identifiers (UFIDs) to virtual functions, allowing virtual servers to dynamically discover and assign virtual functions across different physical servers, enabling flexible deployment, cloning, and migration without altering configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If routing identifications (MAC addresses, FC addresses, FIDs, PNIDs) are used to identify PCI functions in virtual servers, then PCI functions can be identified and accessed, but the configuration must be altered every time the virtual server is deployed or migrated, causing time delays and resource consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assigning unique function identifiers (UFIDs) to virtual functions during system initialization or device setup, rather than assigning them at deployment time. This allows virtual server configurations to be created with placeholder UFIDs that are automatically resolved later, eliminating the need for configuration alterations during deployment or migration operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the UFID assignment process dynamic and adaptable. The system can assign UFIDs from an available pool dynamically when virtual functions are allocated to virtual servers, and can reassign UFIDs when virtual servers are migrated between physical servers. This dynamic assignment mechanism allows the configuration to remain stable while the underlying UFID mappings are flexibly updated.
2Adaptability or versatility
If routing identifications are altered for each virtual server deployment or migration, then PCI functions can be properly associated with new nodes, but cluster environment resources are consumed and deployment flexibility is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the UFID system to serve multiple functions: UFIDs uniquely identify virtual functions across different physical servers, enable virtual server migration, support cloning operations, and maintain configuration stability. This universal identification mechanism replaces multiple specialized routing identification schemes (MAC addresses, FC addresses, FIDs, PNIDs) with a single unified approach that handles all these scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements copying by allowing virtual server configurations to be cloned with their UFID assignments preserved. When a virtual server is copied or cloned, the configuration file containing UFID mappings can be replicated and applied to the new virtual server instance, enabling rapid deployment without requiring manual reconfiguration or UFID reassignment.
3Ease of operation
If configuration files directly rely on routing identifications, then PCI functions can be accessed by virtual servers, but cloning or moving virtual servers becomes impossible when the same routing identification is utilized within the same or subsequent node
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the virtual server configuration (which contains UFID assignments) from the physical server identity (routing identifications). The configuration file stores UFIDs that are specific to virtual functions rather than physical hardware, allowing the same configuration to be applied across different physical servers. This segmentation enables virtual servers to be cloned and migrated while maintaining their functional identity through consistent UFID references.
Data Source
AI summary
A management system and method that generally allocates a virtual function to a virtual function definition of a virtual server, where the virtual function definition of the virtual server is previously assigned with a unique function identifier, and assigns the unique function identifier to the virtual function in response to the allocating of the virtual function, where the unique function identifier causes a discovery of the virtual function by the virtual server.