VM Host Interface Migration via Passthrough-Emulation Failover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing VM migration techniques do not support live migration of the configuration of a connection between a virtual machine and a physical host interface, such as a network interface card, without explicit hardware support.
Innovation Solution
Establish multipath connections between the virtual machine and host interface on a source host, including a passthrough and software-virtualized path, and perform a failover to the emulated path while saving its state, then migrate the virtual machine to a destination host where it resumes communication via the emulated path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing VM migration techniques are used, then VM state can be transferred between hosts, but live migration of host interface connections is not supported without explicit hardware support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a software intermediary (virtualization layer) that mediates between the VM and host interface. This intermediary enables connection migration by translating and managing the interaction between VM I/O operations and physical host interface connections, eliminating the need for explicit hardware support while maintaining live migration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces hardware-dependent connection migration mechanisms with software-based solutions. By substituting the mechanical/hardware approach with software virtualization and emulation, the system achieves connection migration flexibility without requiring explicit hardware support for each migration scenario.
2Reliability
If connection configuration is migrated with VM, then service continuity is maintained, but migration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the migration of VM state with the migration of host interface connections into a unified process. By combining these previously separate operations, the system maintains service continuity while managing complexity through integration rather than separate handling of each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal migration framework that handles both VM state transfer and connection configuration migration through a single mechanism. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity by providing a general-purpose solution rather than requiring separate specialized processes for each migration aspect.
3Reliability
If hardware support is required for connection migration, then migration reliability improves, but system adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates software copies and emulations of host interface connections that can be migrated with the VM. These software-based copies replicate the functionality of hardware connections, providing reliable connection migration while maintaining virtualization flexibility without requiring physical hardware duplication or modification.
Data Source
AI summary
Live migration of a virtual machine (VM) includes establishing multipath connections between the VM and functions of host interface on a source host. The multipath connections include a passthrough path and a software-virtualized (or emulated) path provided by a hypervisor of the source host. A failover of the passthrough path to the emulated path is executed, and a state of the emulated path is thereafter saved. On a host interface of a destination host, functions corresponding to those of the source host are exposed. The VM is then migrated from the source host to the destination host. The VM resumes host interface communication with the host interface of the destination host from the saved state via an emulated path provided by a hypervisor of the destination host. After resuming communication, a passthrough path of communication between the VM and the host interface of the destination host is established.