End node partitioning using virtualization
First Claim
1. A method for partitioning a computer network end node, the method comprising:
- virtualizing a plurality of network devices on a single multi-function chip by means of a combination of hardware and software to form virtual network devices;
virtualizing at least one router on the single multi-function chip by means of a combination of hardware and software to form a virtual router,wherein the virtual router performs control-flow processing for the virtual network devices,wherein the virtual router functions of destination lookup and packet forwarding are incurred only on control-flow processing, andwherein the virtual network devices and the virtual router form a virtual subnet; and
registering the virtual subnet with a physical subnet,wherein the physical subnet perceives the single multi-function chip as only a single router with multiple Host Channel Adapters residing behind the single router.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mechanism for allowing a single physical IB node to virtualize a plurality of host channel adapters is provided. This includes providing the appearance of both a router and multiple virtual HCA'"'"'s residing behind that router, to the external REAL subnet components. Each virtual host channel adapter will have unique access control levels. One or more InfiniBand subnets are virtualized in such a way that nodes residing both within the virtual subnets and in separate physical subnets are completely unaware of the virtualization. This virtualization of InfiniBand subnets significantly increases the horizontal scaling capabilities of a single InfiniBand physical component, while at the same time provides “native” network throughput for all the virtual hosts.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for partitioning a computer network end node, the method comprising:
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virtualizing a plurality of network devices on a single multi-function chip by means of a combination of hardware and software to form virtual network devices; virtualizing at least one router on the single multi-function chip by means of a combination of hardware and software to form a virtual router, wherein the virtual router performs control-flow processing for the virtual network devices, wherein the virtual router functions of destination lookup and packet forwarding are incurred only on control-flow processing, and wherein the virtual network devices and the virtual router form a virtual subnet; and registering the virtual subnet with a physical subnet, wherein the physical subnet perceives the single multi-function chip as only a single router with multiple Host Channel Adapters residing behind the single router. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer program product in a computer readable storage medium for use in a data processing system, for partitioning a computer network end node, the computer program product comprising:
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instructions for virtualizing a plurality of network devices on a single multi-function chip to form virtual network devices; instructions for virtualizing at least one router on the single multi-function chip to form a virtual router, wherein the virtual router performs control-flow processing for the virtual network devices, wherein the virtual router functions of destination lookup and packet forwarding are incurred only on control-flow processing, and wherein the virtual network devices and the virtual router form a virtual subnet; and instructions for registering the virtual subnet with a physical subnet, wherein the physical subnet perceives the single multi-function chip as only a single router with multiple Host Channel Adapters residing behind the single router. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for partitioning a computer network end node, the system comprising:
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a first virtualizing component which virtualizes a plurality of network devices on a single multi-function chip to form virtual network devices; a second virtualizing component which virtualizes at least one router on the single multi-function chip to form a virtual router, wherein the virtual router performs control-flow processing for the virtual network devices, and wherein the virtual router functions of destination lookup and packet forwarding are incurred only on control-flow processing, wherein the virtual network devices and the virtual router form a virtual subnet; and a registering component which registers the virtual subnet with a physical subnet, wherein the physical subnet perceives the single multi-function chip as only a single router with multiple Host Channel Adapters residing behind the single router.
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Specification