Automated Virtual NIC Provisioning via Physical Port Partitioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual provisioning of virtual network interface controllers is cumbersome and prone to errors, as it requires users to manually identify workload requirements and associate them with physical NIC partitions.

Innovation Solution

An information handling system with a network interface and processor that automatically assigns virtual network interface controllers to physical port partitions based on operational parameters, using a switching fabric and virtual local area networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual provisioning of virtual NICs is used, then users can identify and associate workload requirements with physical NIC partitions, but the process becomes cumbersome and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprovisioning accuracyVSAvoidprovisioning complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically discovers workload requirements and performs NIC provisioning without human intervention. The processor autonomously identifies virtual machine network needs, selects appropriate physical NIC partitions, and configures virtual NICs based on discovered requirements, eliminating manual user actions entirely

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary discovery of workload requirements before actual NIC provisioning occurs. By预先 identifying network needs of virtual machines and preparing the provisioning configuration in advance, the system ensures accurate and error-free association of virtual NICs with physical partitions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If automated assignment of virtual NICs to physical ports is implemented, then provisioning efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprovisioning speedVSAvoidautomation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously discovers workload requirements from virtual machines and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust and optimize NIC provisioning decisions. The processor monitors network usage patterns and automatically reconfigures virtual NIC assignments based on discovered requirements, enabling adaptive automation without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The automated provisioning system handles multiple functions including workload requirement discovery, physical NIC partition selection, virtual NIC configuration, and network connectivity management through a single integrated processor-based control mechanism, reducing the need for separate specialized systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8923320B2Systems and methods for automating virtual network interface controller configuration during workload provisioning

Publication Date: 2014.12.30 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include a network interface and a processor. The network interface may include a plurality of physical ports, each physical port configured to be coupled to a corresponding switch interfacing between the physical port and a switching fabric comprising one or more virtual local area networks. The processor may be configured to receive workload requirements defining operational parameters for one or more virtual network interface controllers and automatically assign each of the one or more virtual network interface controllers to a partition of one of the plurality of physical ports based on the operational parameters.