Virtual Block Storage Device Forwarder for VM I/O Conduit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current conduits for virtual machine monitors in computing systems require specialized logic to communicate directly with I/O storage devices, making it difficult to add functionality related to data content processing without impacting the I/O stack or virtual machine monitor logic.
Innovation Solution
A novel conduit architecture comprising a virtual interface, a Forwarder, and a Virtual Block Storage Device (VBSD) that converts I/O commands into a generic format, allowing the virtual machine monitor to send read/write requests without direct communication with the I/O storage device, and an operation-specific module for intelligent data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional conduit architecture is used where the virtual machine monitor communicates directly with I/O storage devices, then the communication path is direct and simple, but the system lacks flexibility when adding data content processing functionality and changes in CRQ commands or storage devices affect each other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Forwarder as an intermediary component between the virtual machine monitor and the I/O block storage device. The Forwarder receives CRQ commands from the virtual machine monitor, translates them into a generic I/O format, and forwards them to the VBSD. This intermediary architecture enables flexible addition of data content processing functionality in the Forwarder without affecting the virtual machine monitor or storage device, while maintaining a manageable conduit structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If specialized conduit logic is implemented for each data type, then data content processing capability is enhanced, but the number of conduit types increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal Forwarder architecture that can handle multiple data types and processing requirements through a single conduit type. The Forwarder uses a generic I/O format that can represent various data types, and includes an operation-specific module that provides intelligent data processing capabilities for different operations. This eliminates the need for separate specialized conduits for each data type while maintaining enhanced data content processing capability.
3Speed
If the virtual machine monitor includes direct logic for I/O storage device communication, then communication efficiency is high, but changes in CRQ commands or storage devices require changes in the virtual machine monitor logic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the I/O communication path into distinct functional components: the virtual machine monitor generates CRQ commands, the Forwarder translates and processes them, and the VBSD executes storage operations. This segmentation allows each component to be developed and modified independently. The Forwarder acts as a buffer that translates between the CRQ command format and the storage device interface, enabling changes in either端 without affecting the other while maintaining efficient communication through the structured translation process.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a virtual interface, a “Forwarder” and a Virtual Block Storage Device (VBSD). The virtual interface is the interface between a Command/Response Queue (CRQ), which receives CRQ commands from a virtual machine monitor, and a common interface of the Forwarder. The Forwarder receives I/O commands in a format associated with the common interface and converts the commands into a generic I/O format. The reformatted command is transmitted to the VBSD. The virtual machine monitor sends a read or write (R/W) request to the virtual interface, which passes the request to the Forwarder. The Forwarder receives the request, converts the request into a form readable by the VBSD and transmits the converted request to the VBSD. The VBSD transmits the request to a block storage device and returns the response to the Forwarder. The Forwarder replies to the request from the virtual interface with the response from the ABSD. The virtual interface then responds to the virtual machine monitor.