Virtual Device Identifier Switching for I/O Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sharing I/O devices between multiple operating systems require modifications to software or hardware, leading to performance issues and increased costs, as they necessitate the purchase of devices supporting multiple functions and require software awareness of shared devices.
Innovation Solution
A method for providing identifiers for virtual devices in a network, allowing a server to register virtual devices and endpoint devices not physically present, enabling efficient resource coordination and sharing of physical devices by responding to discovery data packets with virtual device identifiers, thereby creating virtual devices transparently within the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If PCI express devices provide multiple individually addressable functions to share devices between operating systems, then device sharing capability is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device identification and coordination functions from the physical I/O devices themselves. Instead of requiring devices to have built-in multi-function capabilities, the system creates virtual device identifiers and uses software-based coordination to enable multiple operating systems to access shared devices through standardized single-function interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of device identifiers rather than requiring physical devices to physically embody multiple functions. Virtual device identifiers are generated and managed by the system, allowing operating systems to interact with virtual representations of shared devices without the devices themselves needing complex multi-function hardware.
2Adaptability or versatility
If intermediary software coordinates accesses to physical resources for multiple operating systems, then device sharing is enabled, but computational overhead increases and server performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing virtual device identifiers and configuring the mapping between virtual and physical devices before the operating systems need to access them. This upfront configuration reduces the need for complex real-time coordination during actual device access operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the coordination complexity from the runtime operation and places it in the configuration/setup phase. The virtual device identifier system separates identification functions from access coordination, allowing operating systems to use simple identifier-based access without requiring complex intermediary software intervention during actual device operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modified or new I/O devices are required to implement I/O virtualization, then device sharing between operating systems is achieved, but hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal interface layer through virtual device identifiers that allows standard single-function I/O devices to be shared across multiple operating systems. Instead of requiring specialized multi-function hardware, the system provides universality through software-based virtual identification that works with conventional devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual device identifiers as an intermediary between operating systems and physical I/O devices. This intermediary layer enables device sharing without requiring modification of the physical devices themselves, using standardized identifiers that mediate access between multiple operating systems and conventional single-function hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing identifiers for virtual devices in a network. The method comprises receiving a discovery data packet directed to a physical network node associated with a physical endpoint device. A response to the discovery data packet directed to a physical network node is provided, the response comprising an identifier of a virtual device. At least one further discovery data packet directed at least to said virtual device is received. A response to a first one of the further discovery data packets is provided, the response comprising an identifier of a virtual endpoint device. At least some functionality of the virtual endpoint device is provided by the physical endpoint device.