Extensible Virtual Switch Extension Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Developers face challenges in implementing switches with different functionalities, as designing new switches for each desired functionality or combination of functionalities is time-consuming and burdensome.

Innovation Solution

An extensible virtual switch with a virtual switch miniport and extensibility protocol binding that allows loading of extensions, enabling communication between virtual machines and physical devices through a common protocol, thereby extending the switch's functionality without modifying the switch itself.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If new switches are designed for each different desired functionality or combination of functionalities, then the switch can provide specific desired functionality, but the design process becomes time consuming and burdensome for the developer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitch functionalityVSAvoiddesign time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The switch design is segmented into a base switch component and separate functional modules that can be independently designed, selected, and combined. This allows developers to reuse the base switch architecture across multiple projects and only customize the functional modules as needed, significantly reducing design time while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A universal base switch architecture is created that can support multiple different functionalities through interchangeable modules. The base switch provides common infrastructure that works with various functional add-ons, allowing a single design to serve multiple purposes and reducing the need to design entirely new switches for each functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitch functionalityVSAvoiddesign complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The design is divided into standardized segments with well-defined interfaces. The base switch and functional modules are separate entities that connect through standardized mechanisms, reducing design complexity by allowing developers to work with modular components rather than designing entire switch architectures from scratch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Standardized interface mechanisms act as intermediaries between the base switch and functional modules. These interfaces abstract the complexity of integration, providing a simple connection point that handles the complexity of compatibility and communication between different components automatically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8966499B2Virtual switch extensibility

Publication Date: 2015.02.24 ZHIGU HLDG

AI summary

An extensible virtual switch allows virtual machines to communicate with one another and optionally with other physical devices via a network. The extensible virtual switch includes an extensibility protocol binding, allowing different extensions to be added to the extensible virtual switch. The extensible virtual switch also includes a miniport driver on which the extensions are loaded, tying the lifetimes of the extensions to the lifetime of the extensible virtual switch.