Virtual PCIe Switch Emulation for Virtual Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtual storage environments, existing methods for communication between dual control modules fail to achieve low-latency and high-throughput data synchronization due to the absence of physical PCIe switches, leading to inadequate performance and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to emulate a physical PCIe switch using virtual dual control modules, enabling low-latency communication by creating a virtual PCIe switch for synchronizing cache data between redundant virtual control modules, thereby maintaining high performance and reliability without modifying existing upper layer transmission protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If physical PCIe switches are used for communication between dual control modules, then low-latency and high-throughput data synchronization is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual PCIe switch that copies the functionality of a physical PCIe switch through software emulation. The virtual switch implements PCIe protocol handling, address translation, and data routing capabilities in software, allowing virtual control modules to communicate with low latency without requiring physical PCIe hardware switches in the virtualized environment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical PCIe switch hardware system with a software-based virtual PCIe switch. By substituting physical hardware with software emulation, the system achieves the same communication performance (low latency, high throughput) without the complexity and cost of physical PCIe switches in virtualized storage environments
2Productivity
If physical PCIe switches are deployed in virtual storage environments, then communication performance is improved, but cost and ease of manufacture deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual PCIe switch is designed as a universal software component that can be deployed across multiple virtual storage environments. It provides PCIe switch functionality for multiple virtual control modules simultaneously, eliminating the need for dedicated physical PCIe switches in each virtualization scenario and simplifying deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent copies the essential functionality of physical PCIe switches into software form, enabling the same high-performance communication capabilities to be replicated across multiple virtual storage systems without additional hardware costs or complex deployment procedures
3Device complexity
If virtual control modules communicate without virtual PCIe switch emulation, then device complexity is reduced, but communication latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual PCIe switch acts as an intermediary component between virtual control modules. It provides dedicated communication channels and implements efficient address translation and data routing, preventing direct but inefficient communication paths that would increase latency while maintaining manageable system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to communications between virtual dual control modules in a virtual machine environment. A computer-implemented method and an electronic device are disclosed. The method includes deploying a first virtual control module and a second virtual control module in a virtual storage, the first virtual control module and the second virtual control module are redundant with each other. The method further comprises creating a virtual Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) switch for emulating a physical PCIe switch, and synchronizing cache data between the first virtual control module and the second virtual control module via the virtual PCIe switch. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, virtual dual control modules are configured in the virtual machine environment, and virtual PCIe communications between virtual dual control modules are realized by emulating the physical PCIe through software, thereby enabling low-latency communications between virtual dual control modules in a virtual storage.