VM Peripheral Device Sharing via Bandwidth Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtualized computing environments, peripheral devices are typically limited to the host computing system they are attached to, preventing VMs from accessing devices connected to other host systems, and existing solutions do not efficiently manage bandwidth requirements for remote access or migration.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a peripheral device management module that compares bandwidth requirements with a threshold percentage to enable remote access or migration of VMs to access peripheral devices across different host computing systems, using a lookup table to determine device availability and manage network bandwidth allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a peripheral device is attached to a first host computing system, then the peripheral device is available to VMs on the first host computing system, but the peripheral device is not available to VMs on other host computing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a device manager as an intermediary component that mediates between VMs and peripheral devices across different host computing systems. The device manager receives requests from VMs, determines the appropriate host system, and facilitates access to the peripheral device, enabling cross-host availability without direct VM-to-device connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The device manager is designed to handle multiple functions: receiving device requests from any VM, determining the host system where the peripheral device is attached, managing bandwidth allocation, and coordinating access across different host computing systems. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate mechanisms for each host.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a VM remotely accesses a peripheral device over the network, then the VM can access devices on other host computing systems, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bandwidth management where the device manager monitors network bandwidth consumption in real-time and adjusts allocation accordingly. Bandwidth thresholds are dynamically evaluated to determine whether to permit remote access, migrate the VM, or deny access, allowing the system to adapt to changing network conditions and prioritize critical operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of bandwidth allocation based on the specific access scenario. When a VM remotely accesses a peripheral device, the device manager evaluates whether the bandwidth requirement exceeds a threshold and dynamically adjusts the allocation decision, potentially triggering VM migration to a local host to eliminate network bandwidth consumption entirely.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the VM is migrated to the first host computing system to access the peripheral device locally, then network bandwidth consumption is reduced, but migration overhead and time are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device manager performs preliminary evaluation of bandwidth requirements and host availability before access requests are made. By pre-determining which VMs should be migrated to which hosts based on peripheral device locations and bandwidth thresholds, the system minimizes last-minute migration decisions and reduces overall migration overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the device manager continuously monitors network bandwidth consumption, VM performance, and host availability. This feedback informs dynamic decisions about whether to permit remote access or trigger migration, allowing the system to learn from past migrations and optimize timing to minimize disruption and time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of peripheral device sharing for virtual machines are described. In some aspects, a virtual machine requires access to a peripheral device. The virtual machine is executed in a first host computing system. A table is accessed, and includes a list of peripheral devices, an indication that the peripheral device is connected to a second host computing system, a bandwidth requirement of the peripheral device, and a network bandwidth allocated to the virtual machine. The virtual machine is provided with access to the peripheral device based on a comparison between the bandwidth requirement of the peripheral device, and a threshold percentage of the network bandwidth allocated to the virtual machine.