Unified I/O Device Management via Virtual Bridge Abstraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current configuration control software cannot uniformly manage configurations of input/output devices connected to a bridge and those connected to a network, as they require different approaches for recognition and control.
Innovation Solution
A configuration management device that includes a configuration storage unit for storing information about bridges and input/output devices, a bus recognition unit to read and store configuration information from connected devices, and a virtual resource definition storage unit to define virtual connections between virtual bridges and input/output devices connected to networks, allowing for unified control through a single interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If configuration control software uses different approaches for bridge-connected and network-connected input/output devices, then each device type can be managed according to its specific characteristics, but the system complexity increases and unified control interface cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual bridge that can represent both physical bridges and network connections through a unified interface. The configuration control software interacts with all input/output devices through the same bridge enumeration mechanism, whether the devices are connected via physical bridges or networks. This universal approach allows single software to manage diverse connection types without requiring different control approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual bridge acts as an intermediary layer between the configuration control software and input/output devices connected through networks. By introducing this intermediate virtualization layer, the patent enables network-connected devices to be accessed through the same bridge-based interface as physically connected devices, thereby unifying the control mechanism while maintaining the ability to handle different connection types.
2Ease of operation
If a virtual bridge is introduced to unify the interface for managing network-connected and bridge-connected devices, then unified control becomes possible, but the system structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the bridge structure that mirrors the functionality of physical bridges. This virtual bridge copy allows the configuration control software to interact with network-connected devices through the same interface and mechanisms used for physical bridges, without requiring fundamental changes to the software architecture. The virtual copy simplifies operation by providing a familiar, unified interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a virtualization dimension to the existing physical bridge structure. By introducing the virtual bridge layer, the system transitions from a purely physical architecture to a multi-dimensional architecture that includes both physical and virtual components. This additional dimension enables unified control while maintaining the underlying physical structure intact.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing bus recognition and hot plug operation units are modified to support virtual bridges, then unified management is achieved, but changes to existing units are required
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual bridge is designed to work seamlessly with existing bus recognition and hot plug operation units without requiring their modification. The virtual bridge itself provides the necessary functionality to enable unified management, allowing existing units to continue operating as before while automatically supporting both physical and virtual bridges. This self-service approach reduces implementation complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A configuration management device provided with: a configuration storage means for storing a bridge that includes a virtual bridge and the configuration information of input/output devices; a bus recognition means for reading the configuration information of input/output devices connected to the bridge from the input/output devices and storing the read information in the configuration storage means; a virtual resource definition storage means for defining a virtual connection between the input/output devices connected to a connection means that is not the bridge and the virtual bridge; and a device access transfer means for receiving a configuration information read request for input/output devices connected to the virtual bridge that is transmitted by the bus recognition means, reading the configuration information from the input/output devices the virtual connection of which is defined, and transmitting the read configuration information to the bus recognition means.