Virtual KVM Element for Remote VM Guest Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtualization systems do not allow direct remote access to virtual machine guests and mapping of virtual media without relying on separate remote management tools or software installations, limiting operational efficiency and management capabilities in data centers.
Innovation Solution
A data processing system with a virtual KVM (keyboard/video/mouse) element integrated into the virtualization platform enables remote graphics console access and virtual media mapping, allowing baseboard management controllers to access and manage guest operating systems directly, bypassing the need for separate remote management tools and enabling remote control of virtual machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate remote management tools or software installations are used to access virtual machine guests, then remote access capability is provided, but device complexity and operational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the remote management functionality directly into the virtualization platform by implementing a virtual KVM switch. This integration eliminates the need for separate remote management tools, allowing administrators to access virtual machine guests through the existing virtualization infrastructure. The virtual KVM switch consolidates multiple functions (graphics console access, media mapping, device control) into a single integrated component within the virtualization platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual KVM switch provides universal access capabilities across multiple virtual machines and physical devices. It enables a single management interface to control graphics consoles, map virtual media devices, and manage input/output operations for multiple guest operating systems simultaneously. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for multiple specialized remote management tools.
2Productivity
If virtualization platforms run multiple operating systems simultaneously, then data center density increases, but direct remote access to individual guests becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual KVM switch implements segmentation by providing individual, isolated access channels to each virtual machine guest. The system maintains separate virtual KVM instances or access paths for each guest operating system, allowing administrators to selectively connect to specific virtual machines without interference from other concurrently running operating systems. This segmented approach enables direct remote access while preserving the multi-tenant virtualization environment.
3Extent of automation
If baseboard management controllers are used for remote access, then hardware-level control is achieved, but integration with virtualization platforms is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual KVM switch acts as an intermediary layer between the baseboard management controller and the virtual machine guests. It translates hardware-level control signals from the BMC into virtualized I/O operations that can be routed to specific virtual machines. This intermediary function enables the BMC to maintain its hardware-level automation capabilities while gaining the ability to effectively manage and control virtualized environments through the virtualization platform's I/O namespace.
Data Source
AI summary
A data processing system supports remote graphics console and virtual media access to virtual machines. The data processing system is configured for usage with a virtualization platform that runs multiple operating systems simultaneously on at least one physical server. The data processing system comprises a virtual keyboard/video/mouse (KVM) element integrated into the virtualization platform and is configured to generate a remote management graphics console and map virtual media into the operating system plurality.