Virtual Computing Interrupt Mode Transition Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques face challenges in transitioning a virtual computing environment from direct interrupt mode to virtual interrupt mode, especially when a large number of interrupts are present in the physical queue, due to the complexity and latency associated with handling interrupts via a hypervisor.

Innovation Solution

A method involving configuring a virtual computing environment to operate in direct interrupt mode, receiving a triggering event, copying contents of a physical interrupt queue into a virtual interrupt queue, acknowledging vectors in the physical queue, and transitioning the environment to virtual interrupt mode, allowing for a seamless switch without invoking a hypervisor interrupt handler.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If interrupts are delivered via a hypervisor in virtual interrupt mode, then security and control are improved, but performance deteriorates due to hypervisor intervention overhead

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity and controlVSAvoidperformance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between virtual interrupt mode (via hypervisor) and direct interrupt mode (without hypervisor) based on operational requirements. The interrupt delivery mechanism is made adjustable, allowing the system to optimize between security/control and performance by selecting the appropriate mode for different scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If direct interrupt mode is used, then performance is improved by eliminating hypervisor overhead, but security and control deteriorate due to direct hardware access

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveperformanceVSAvoidsecurity and control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs dynamic mode switching between direct interrupt mode and virtual interrupt mode. When high performance is needed, direct interrupt mode is activated; when security and control are prioritized, virtual interrupt mode through the hypervisor is used. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to have both high performance capability and security control depending on operational context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a large number of interrupts are present in the physical queue during transition, then transition completeness is improved, but transition latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransition completenessVSAvoidtransition latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions during the transition process by first copying the contents of the physical interrupt queue to a virtual interrupt queue, then acknowledging vectors present in the physical queue, and finally transitioning the virtual computing environment. This staged approach ensures all interrupts are properly handled while managing transition latency through systematic processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10025621B2Method and system for transition from direct interrupt state to virtual interrupt state of emulated computing environments

Publication Date: 2018.07.17 WIND RIVER SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A system and method for configuring a virtual computing environment to operate in direct interrupt mode; receiving a triggering event triggering a transition from direct interrupt mode to virtual interrupt mode; copying contents of a physical interrupt queue into a virtual interrupt queue; acknowledging vectors present in the physical interrupt queue; and transitioning the virtual computing environment to virtual interrupt mode. The system includes a processor for performing the steps of the method.