VM-Host Flow Control Negotiation Reduces Address Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtualization technologies face processing delays and increased address space occupation on hosts due to inefficient flow control mechanisms, particularly in scenarios with multiple virtual machines or high packet volumes.
Innovation Solution
A method where a virtual machine and a host negotiate the executor of a flow control policy based on the virtual machine's capabilities, allowing the virtual machine to perform flow control if capable, or sending packets to the host for processing if the host is designated, thereby reducing unnecessary processing and bandwidth usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the host executes flow control by copying packets from VM address space to host address space, then flow control policy can be enforced, but host address space is occupied and processing delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flow control execution function from the host and transfers it to the virtual machine. The VM independently executes flow control policies on its own packets using its local address space, eliminating the need for the host to copy and process these packets. This extraction resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable flow control enforcement while freeing up host address space and reducing processing burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual machine performs self-service by independently executing flow control policies within its own address space. The VM monitors its own packet flows and applies control decisions locally, rather than relying on host-mediated processing. This self-service approach enables flow control reliability while avoiding host address space occupation.
2Reliability
If the host copies and processes outbound packets from virtual machines, then flow control can be implemented, but processing delay increases in scenarios with large number of VMs or packets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the virtual machine execute flow control decisions at the source before packets leave the VM. The VM proactively manages its own outbound packet flows according to negotiated policies, rather than waiting for host processing. This preliminary execution eliminates the copy-and-process delay inherent in host-mediated approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
By extracting flow control execution from the host and placing it within the virtual machine, the patent eliminates the intermediate copying step that causes processing delay. The VM directly processes its own packets using its local address space, bypassing the host copy operation entirely, thus resolving the time loss contradiction.
3Reliability
If the host performs bandwidth limitation and access control on outbound flows, then policy control is achieved, but address space occupation and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts bandwidth limitation and access control functions from the host and implements them within the virtual machine. The VM executes these control functions locally on its own packet flows, eliminating the need for host processing overhead. This extraction maintains reliable policy control while significantly reducing host processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual machine performs self-service by independently managing its own bandwidth limitation and access control policies. The VM uses its local address space to enforce these controls without requiring host intervention or copying operations. This self-service mechanism maintains policy reliability while eliminating host processing overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A packet flow control method, an apparatus, and a computing node are disclosed. The method may include: negotiating, between a virtual machine and a host, an executor of a flow control policy based on a flow control capability of the virtual machine; if it is determined that a negotiated executor of the flow control policy is the virtual machine, performing, by the virtual machine, forward processing on a to-be-forward-processed packet based on the flow control policy; and if it is determined that the negotiated executor of the flow control policy is the Host, sending, by the virtual machine, the to-be-forward-processed packet to the Host, so that the Host performs forward processing on the received packet based on the flow control policy. The technical solutions provided by embodiments of the present invention help reduce address space, of the Host, occupied for processing an outbound packet flow of the virtual machine.