Virtual USB Device for Guest Host OS Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual machine to host communication methods face challenges such as network interference from firewalls and protocols, bandwidth consumption, and inefficiencies in using virtual serial/parallel ports, which hinder effective communication and performance in virtualized computer systems.
Innovation Solution
Creating a virtual Universal Serial Bus (USB) device to facilitate direct communication between a guest OS and a host OS, bypassing network restrictions and conserving bandwidth by using a virtual USB hub executed by the host OS.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If communication is sent over the network between guest OS and host OS, then communication can be established, but network bandwidth is consumed and network performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a shared memory region as an intermediary communication channel between the guest OS and host OS. Instead of using the network infrastructure, the shared memory allows direct data exchange through memory-mapped I/O operations, eliminating network bandwidth consumption while maintaining communication reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the network communication mechanism (electromagnetic signals through network infrastructure) with a memory-based communication mechanism (electrical signals through shared memory). This substitution uses the faster memory bus instead of the slower network stack, reducing bandwidth consumption and improving communication efficiency
2Reliability
If virtual serial or parallel ports are used for communication, then direct connection is achieved, but communication speed is slow and computing resources are heavily utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental communication parameter from serial/parallel port protocols to memory-mapped I/O operations. By changing the communication medium from physical ports to shared memory, the data transfer speed increases dramatically while maintaining the stability of direct connection, as memory operations are inherently faster than traditional serial/parallel protocols
3Adaptability or versatility
If network communication methods are used, then communication can be established, but firewalls and protocols cause interference and prevent effective communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communication functionality from the network layer and places it directly in the memory layer. By taking out the network communication path and replacing it with shared memory access, the harmful effects of firewalls and network protocols are eliminated while preserving the ability to establish communication between guest and host OS
Solution Approach 2:
The shared memory region acts as an intermediary that bypasses the network infrastructure entirely. This mediator allows direct communication between guest and host OS without exposing the communication to network-level restrictions, firewalls, or protocol interference, while still maintaining adaptable communication capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
A communication channel may be implemented from a host operating system (OS) to a guest OS of a virtual machine. The method may include receiving an instruction to create a communication channel between a guest OS of a virtual machine and host OS of a host computer system. The method may further include transmitting, to a virtual Universal Serial Bus (USB) hub executed by the host OS, a first request to create a virtual USB device on the virtual USB hub. The method may also include providing the virtual USB device to the guest OS and identifying an operation to be performed by the guest OS on the virtual USB device. The method may include providing, from the guest OS to the virtual USB hub of the host OS, a second request that includes the operation to be performed by the guest OS.