VM Link Management via Heartbeat Handshake and LACP State Acquisition

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Solution Overview

Problem

In a virtual machine (VM) environment, existing methods fail to implement full-path detection of network links, leading to packet loss and difficulties in failure processing due to the absence of a mechanism to distinguish between internal VF issues and external link problems.

Innovation Solution

Establishing a heartbeat handshake link between Physical Functions (PFs) and Virtual Functions (VFs) using a shared communication queue mechanism, allowing the acquisition and transmission of LACP state information from PFs to VFs, enabling detection of link failures and dynamic control of VF links.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If LACP runs simultaneously in multiple VMs to negotiate with switch, then link aggregation negotiation can be performed, but negotiation fails due to LACP state machine chaos on switch side

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelink aggregation negotiation capabilityVSAvoidnegotiation success rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a heartbeat detection mechanism as an intermediary between VFs and the external switch. The host sends heartbeat packets through VFs to detect link status, and this detection information mediates the LACP negotiation process, preventing state machine chaos while maintaining negotiation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary link detection through heartbeat packets before LACP negotiation begins. By pre-detecting link status and validity through the heartbeat mechanism, the system prepares the negotiation state in advance, preventing conflicts during actual LACP negotiation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If static switch configuration is used to avoid LACP state machine chaos, then link aggregation can be maintained, but full-path detection mechanism from VFs to external switch is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelink aggregation stabilityVSAvoidfull-path detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where heartbeat packet transmission and reception status provide continuous link status information. The host receives heartbeat responses from the external switch through VFs and uses this feedback to determine link validity, enabling full-path detection while maintaining stable link aggregation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If VFs are allocated to multiple VMs for load sharing, then network bandwidth requirement is met, but failure processing becomes difficult without full-path detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork bandwidth capacityVSAvoidfailure diagnosis difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual failure diagnosis with an automated heartbeat detection system. Instead of mechanical troubleshooting of VF link failures, the system uses automated packet transmission and response analysis to identify whether failures originate from internal VF issues or external link problems, significantly easing failure processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10530636B2Link management method, device and system in virtual machine environment

Publication Date: 2020.01.07 XIAN ZHONGXING NEW SOFTWARE

AI summary

At least some embodiments of invention provide a method, device and system for link management in a Virtual Machine (VM) environment. The method includes: a heartbeat handshake link is established with a VM. After the heartbeat handshake link is successfully established, Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) state information of a Physical Function (PF) of a plurality of a Network Interface Cards (NICs) is acquired. The LACP state information is sent to the VM through the heartbeat handshake link.