Virtualized Hardware Resource Management for Communication Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication devices face inefficiencies in resource utilization due to uneven workload distribution among service boards, leading to waste of hardware resources as some boards are busy while others are idle.
Innovation Solution
A virtualization management method that allows for cross-board sharing of hardware resources by transferring interrupt contexts between service boards, enabling dynamic allocation and processing of resources across boards through an inter-board Hypervisor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If virtualization technology is deployed in each service board to achieve maximum reasonable utilization of hardware resources, then resource usage efficiency is improved, but hardware resources are still wasted when some service boards are busy while others are idle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges hardware resources across multiple service boards by implementing cross-board resource sharing. When a service board has idle hardware resources, they can be allocated to other service boards that need them, combining previously isolated resources into a shared pool that eliminates waste while maintaining efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables hardware resources to serve multiple functions and multiple service boards simultaneously. A hardware resource on one service board can be allocated to serve different virtual machines or services on different service boards, making the resources universal rather than dedicated to a single board or function.
2Ease of operation
If hardware resources are allocated to specific service boards, then resource management is simplified, but resource utilization is reduced when workload distribution is uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the resource allocation system spanning multiple service boards) that manages resource distribution. This intermediary layer coordinates resource sharing between service boards, maintaining management simplicity while enabling dynamic allocation that improves overall utilization without requiring complex point-to-point management.
3Reliability
If service boards operate independently with their own hardware resources, then system stability is improved, but overall device performance is limited by idle resources on some boards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the resource management system into independent service board units that maintain their operational independence and stability, while simultaneously enabling resource sharing across these segments. Each service board remains a stable, isolated unit, but the segmented structure allows flexible resource allocation between segments, improving overall performance without compromising stability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2-a
Figure 2-b~2-c
Figure 2-d~3
AI summary
A virtualization management method and related apparatuses for hardware resources of a communication device are disclosed. A virtualization management method for hardware resources of a communication device may include: acquiring a first virtual machine context that is issued by a first service board deployed in a communication device and that corresponds to a first interrupt, and issuing the first virtual machine context, or a second virtual machine context that is obtained based on the first virtual machine context and that corresponds to the first interrupt, so that a second service board deployed in the communication device, after acquiring the issued first virtual machine context or second virtual machine context, transfers the acquired first virtual machine context or second virtual machine context to a first virtual machine running on the intra-board Hypervisor in the second service board for processing, where the first virtual machine is the employer of the first hardware resource. The embodiments of the present invention help optimize the utilization of hardware resources of a communication device, and further boost performance.