Virtualized I/O Address Space Reduction via Translation Table Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computer systems, sharing I/O hardware resources through virtualization leads to issues such as excessive I/O address space consumption and the need for resource protection, where each process must perceive itself as the sole user of the hardware, while ensuring data protection and efficient resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for reducing address space in shared virtualized I/O devices by allocating hardware resources to functions, using a translation table to store internal addresses of permanent resources, and assigning specific address spaces for variable and permanent resources, allowing each function to access its allocated resources without direct access to others.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If I/O hardware resources are virtualized and shared across multiple processing elements, then hardware resource utilization is improved, but I/O address space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the I/O address space by separating permanent resources from variable resources. Each function receives a reduced base address space containing only permanent resources, while variable resources are allocated dynamically through a translation table mechanism. This segmentation allows multiple functions to share the same base address space without conflict, dramatically reducing the total address space required compared to traditional allocation where each function would need its own large address space block.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a translation table as an intermediary layer between the reduced function address space and the actual hardware resources. The translation table maps base addresses from the compact address space to the actual physical resource addresses, enabling multiple functions to access shared permanent resources through address translation without requiring large dedicated address spaces for each function.
2Ease of operation
If each function is allocated a large block of address space, then resource access is simplified, but the total address space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments address allocation into two parts: a small base address space for permanent resources that every function needs, and a translation table for variable resources. This segmentation maintains ease of access for permanent resources through direct addressing while enabling flexible variable resource allocation through translation, avoiding the need to allocate large address space blocks to each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The base address space containing permanent resources is designed to be universal and shared across all functions. Instead of allocating separate large address spaces to each function, all functions use the same base address space for common permanent resources, with the translation table providing function-specific mappings for variable resources. This multi-functional approach to address space reduces total consumption while maintaining access simplicity.
3Reliability
If permanent resources are allocated to every function, then resource availability is improved, but address space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the allocation of permanent resources across all functions into a single shared base address space. Instead of duplicating permanent resource address allocations for each function, the same base address space is merged and shared by all functions, with the translation table handling any function-specific variations. This merging ensures all functions have access to necessary permanent resources while dramatically reducing the total address space required.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for reducing address space in a shared virtualized I/O device includes allocating hardware resources including variable resources and permanent resources, to one or more functions. The method also includes allocating address space for an I/O mapping of the resources in a system memory, and assigning a respective portion of that address space for each function. The method further includes assigning space within each respective portion for variable resources available for allocation to the function to which the respective portion is assigned, and further assigning space within each respective portion for a set of permanent resources that have been allocated to the function to which the respective portion is assigned. The method further includes providing a translation table having a plurality of entries, and storing within each entry of the translation table, a different internal address of a permanent resource that has been allocated to a particular function.