Virtual NIC Interrupt Affinity Binding for Cloud VM Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a virtual machine environment, the lack of a fixed correspondence between physical and virtual CPUs for interrupt processing of a virtual network interface card leads to unpredictable interference between applications and virtual machines sharing a physical machine, necessitating precise control over interrupt processing to avoid interference.
Innovation Solution
Establishing consistent affinity binding relationships between virtual and physical interrupts and their corresponding CPUs, with the Host OS automatically scheduling physical interrupts based on CPU load to prevent interference and optimize resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If no fixed correspondence is established between physical and virtual CPUs for interrupt processing, then the system has high flexibility in CPU scheduling, but interrupt processing becomes unpredictable and causes interference between applications and virtual machines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic affinity binding where the correspondence between physical and virtual CPUs is not fixed but can be adjusted based on system conditions. The Host OS monitors CPU load and dynamically rebinds virtual interrupts to different virtual CPUs, allowing the system to adapt to changing workloads while maintaining predictable interrupt processing through controlled dynamic reconfiguration rather than static assignment
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the Host OS continuously monitors CPU utilization and interrupt processing performance. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts the affinity binding between virtual interrupts and virtual CPUs, optimizing interrupt handling while preventing interference between virtual machines. The feedback loop ensures that scheduling decisions are based on actual system state rather than predetermined configurations
2Productivity
If multiple virtual machines share a physical machine without affinity binding control, then resource utilization is high, but interference occurs between adjacent virtual machines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the interrupt handling responsibilities by establishing separate affinity binding relationships for each virtual machine's interrupts. The Host OS maintains distinct affinity binding configurations that isolate interrupt processing paths for different virtual machines, preventing cross-contamination while allowing efficient resource sharing. This segmentation is achieved through virtual interrupt assignment to specific virtual CPUs with controlled affinity to physical CPUs
Solution Approach 2:
The Host OS acts as an intermediary layer that mediates between physical interrupt sources and virtual machine processing. It implements affinity binding rules that control how physical interrupts are distributed to virtual CPUs, acting as a buffer that prevents direct interference between virtual machines while maintaining high resource utilization through intelligent scheduling and load balancing
3Reliability
If affinity binding is strictly controlled between interrupts and CPUs, then interrupt processing predictability is improved, but CPU resource utilization decreases due to idle CPUs
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic affinity binding that adjusts the strictness of CPU-interrupt correspondence based on system conditions. When CPUs are idle or load is low, the system relaxes affinity constraints to improve utilization. When interference risks are detected or predictability is compromised, the system tightens affinity binding to ensure reliable interrupt processing. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between strict control and resource efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the affinity binding parameters dynamically based on system state. The affinity binding configuration is not a fixed parameter but can be modified by the Host OS according to CPU load, interrupt patterns, and interference detection. This parameter flexibility allows the system to maintain predictability when needed while optimizing resource utilization during low-interference periods
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a method for affinity binding of interrupt of a virtual network interface card, and a computer device. The method includes: receiving a request message sent by an IaaS resource management system, where the request message carries an interrupt affinity policy parameter of a virtual network interface card; performing one-to-one correspondence affinity binding between multiple virtual central processing units VCPUs and multiple physical central processing units PCPUs; performing affinity binding between a virtual interrupt of the virtual network interface card and a VCPU; and performing affinity binding between a physical interrupt of the virtual network interface card and a corresponding PCPU according to the affinity policy parameter.