OS agnostic resource sharing across multiple computing platforms
First Claim
1. A method for sharing resources across a plurality of computing platforms, comprising:
- receiving a resource access request to access a shared resource at a first computing platform;
determining a second computing platform via which the shared resource may be accessed;
sending the resource access request to the second computing platform; and
accessing the shared resource via the second computing platform.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, apparatus, and systems for sharing resources across a plurality of computing platforms. Firmware provided on each platform is loaded for operating system runtime availability. Shared resources are presented to operating systems running on the platforms as local resources, while in reality they are generally hosted by other platforms. An operating system resource access request is received by a requesting platform and rerouted to another platform that actually hosts a target resource used to service the resource access request. Global resource maps are employed to determine the appropriate host platforms. Communications between the platforms is enabled via an out-of-band (OOB) communication channel or network. A hidden execution mode is implemented to effectuate data rerouting via the OOB channel such that the method is performed in a manner that is transparent to operating systems running on the platforms. The shared resources include storage, input, and video devices. The method can be used to support shared KVM resources, and shared disk storage.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for sharing resources across a plurality of computing platforms, comprising:
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receiving a resource access request to access a shared resource at a first computing platform;
determining a second computing platform via which the shared resource may be accessed;
sending the resource access request to the second computing platform; and
accessing the shared resource via the second computing platform. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for sharing a plurality of storage devices across a plurality of computing platforms, comprising:
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configuring the plurality of storage devices as a virtual storage volume;
maintaining a global resource map that maps input/output (I/O) blocks defined for the virtual storage volume to corresponding storage devices that actually host the I/O blocks;
receiving a data access request identifying an I/O block from which data are to be accessed via the virtual storage volume;
identifying a computing platform via which a target storage device that actually hosts the I/O block may be accessed through use of the global resource map;
routing the data access request to the computing platform that is identified; and
accessing the I/O block on the target storage device via the computing platform that is identified. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16-26. -26. (Canceled).
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27. A blade server system, comprising:
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a chassis, including a plurality of slots in which respective server blades may be inserted;
an interface plane having a plurality of connectors for mating with respective connectors on inserted server blades and providing communication paths between the plurality of connectors to facilitate in out of band (OOB) communication channel; and
a plurality of server blades, each including a processor and firmware executable thereon to perform operations including;
receive a resource access request from an operating system running on a requesting server blade to access a shared resource hosted by at least one of the plurality of server blades;
determining a target resource host from among the plurality of server blades that hosts a target resource that may service the resource access request;
sending the resource access request to the target resource host; and
accessing the target resource via the target resource host to service the resource access request. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification