Virtual Device Context Resource Sharing via Default Context
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional systems for sharing resources between virtual devices in data centers require redundant storage and processing of access information, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity, which can limit the number of virtual devices that can be deployed and impact network performance.
Innovation Solution
Centralizing access to shared resources in a default virtual device context (DVDC) reduces redundant processing and storage by transmitting status messages only to the DVDC, which then communicates with other virtual device contexts, thereby improving storage and computational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If access information is stored redundantly in each virtual device context, then each VDC can independently access shared resources, but storage space is wasted and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a reference copy (pointer) of the configuration data in each VDC that points to the master copy stored in the DVDC. This reference copy enables fast lookup and independent access without duplicating the actual configuration data, thus maintaining reliability while reducing storage waste and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The default VDC context (DVDC) acts as an intermediary that stores the master configuration data and manages access for all other VDCs. When a VDC needs to access shared resource configuration, it requests the data from the DVDC, which then provides the configuration information. This mediator approach centralizes data management while maintaining distributed access capability.
2Loss of information
If status messages are transmitted to all virtual device contexts, then all VDCs receive real-time updates, but network bandwidth is consumed and processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the status message distribution function into the existing configuration data access mechanism. Instead of implementing a separate broadcast system for status messages, the DVDC utilizes its existing communication infrastructure to distribute status updates only to VDCs that have active configuration data references, thereby reducing redundant transmissions while maintaining synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the DVDC tracks which VDCs have active references to configuration data for shared resources. Status messages are then selectively transmitted only to those VDCs that need the information, based on their active references. This feedback-driven approach prevents unnecessary network traffic and processing overhead while ensuring all relevant VDCs receive real-time updates.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more virtual device contexts are deployed on a switch, then resource utilization increases, but the switch's computational capacity is overwhelmed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses reference copying instead of full data duplication in each VDC. Each VDC stores only a lightweight reference (pointer) to the configuration data in the DVDC, rather than copying the entire configuration dataset. This dramatically reduces the computational overhead and memory requirements per VDC, enabling the switch to support more virtual device contexts without overwhelming its computational capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The DVDC serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a configuration data repository for all VDCs, a status message distribution center, and a reference management system. By consolidating these functions in a single entity, the patent reduces the overall computational burden on the switch compared to having each VDC maintain independent configuration copies and status tracking, thereby enabling higher virtual device deployment capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to providing shared resources to virtual devices on a network switch. In one example, a switch comprises a plurality of virtual device contexts (VDCs) and a default virtual device context (DVDC). The DVDC stores configuration data that identifies a network resource. The DVDC transmits a reference to the configuration data to each of the plurality of VDCs. Each of plurality of VDCs receives the reference from the DVDC. When the DVDC receive, from the at least one of the plurality of VDCs, a request to access the configuration data via the reference, the DVDC transmits at least a portion of the configuration data to the at least one of the plurality of VDCs. The at least the portion of the configuration data is operable to initiate a connection between the at least one of the plurality of VDCs and the network resource.