Wireless Interface Sharing via Virtualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-host computing systems face high costs and inefficiencies due to the need for duplicated wireless interfaces for multiple host processors, with existing virtualization techniques only allowing sharing among single host processors or limiting access to a single host processor.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Wireless Network Access Virtualization (NAV) processor enables simultaneous access to a wireless interface by multiple host processors through unique MAC address assignment, association requests, and data packet routing, using a Wi-Fi virtualization manager and L2 switch to manage associations and data traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple host processors are equipped with separate wireless interfaces, then each host can access wireless networks independently, but system cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple host processors share a single physical wireless interface through the NAV processor, which virtualizes the interface to appear as multiple independent interfaces to each host. This merging approach reduces the total number of wireless interfaces from N (one per host) to 1 (shared), directly addressing the contradiction between reliability and quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The NAV processor acts as an intermediary between multiple host processors and the single wireless interface. It manages association requests from multiple hosts, assigns unique MAC addresses to each host, and routes data packets appropriately, enabling independent wireless access for each host while sharing the physical interface.
2Quantity of substance
If a single wireless interface is shared among multiple host processors, then system cost and compactness are improved, but simultaneous access to wireless networks is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless interface is segmented into multiple virtual interfaces, each assigned to a different host processor with a unique MAC address. The NAV processor divides the single physical interface's functionality into multiple independent access channels, allowing simultaneous wireless access for multiple hosts while sharing the same physical hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The single wireless interface is made universal by enabling it to serve multiple host processors simultaneously through virtualization. The NAV processor allows the interface to perform multiple functions - handling association requests, data transmission, and reception for multiple hosts - thereby improving productivity without increasing the number of physical interfaces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing virtualization techniques are used to share wireless interfaces, then some sharing capability is achieved, but access is limited to a single host processor or requires host processor switching
Solution Approach 1:
The NAV processor implements dynamic virtualization that allows multiple host processors to simultaneously access the wireless interface without switching. Each host maintains its own association context and MAC address, enabling dynamic, concurrent access rather than static, sequential access required by existing techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are methods and system for sharing a wireless interface (102) among various multiple host processors in a multi-processor computing system (100) to provide simultaneous access of a wireless network to the host processors. In one implementation the multi-host computing system (100), comprises a wireless interface (102) configured to connect to at least one of a plurality of wireless networks; and a wireless network access virtualization (WNAV) processor (108) communicatively coupled to the wireless interface (102), wherein the WNAV processor (108) is configured to multiplex data packets received from the plurality of hosts, transmit the multiplexed data packets to at least one of the plurality of wireless networks through the wireless interface (102), receive data packets from one of the plurality of wireless network through the wireless interface (102) and route the data packets to each of the plurality of hosts based on a media access control (MAC) address associated with each of the plurality of hosts.