IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,465,637
Granted Patent B2
US 9,465,637 · App. 13/853,661 · Granted Oct 11, 2016

System and method for automating virtual network provisioning

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,465,637
App. No.
13/853,661
Granted
Oct 11, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method includes receiving a deployment template at a host system, partitioning a networking device of the host system with a virtual network partition based upon the deployment template, receiving attribute data that includes a first attribute associated with the first virtual network partition, loading the networking device with the attribute data, launching a virtual machine manager on the host system, reading the attribute from the networking device, and assigning a virtual network interface of a virtual switch associated with the virtual machine manager to the virtual network partition in response to reading the attribute.

Claims (91)

1. A method comprising:

receiving, at a management controller of a host system, a deployment template from a management system coupled to the management controller, wherein the deployment template is received out of band from a processing device of the host system, and wherein the deployment template includes a first virtual network interface card definition for a first virtual network interface card for use by a first virtual machine instantiated on the host system;

partitioning, by the host system, a first networking device of the host system with a first virtual network partition based upon the deployment template prior to launching a virtual machine manager on the host system, wherein the first virtual network partition is associated with the first virtual network interface card definition;

receiving, at the management controller, attribute data, wherein the attribute data includes a first attribute associated with the first virtual network interface card;

loading, by the management controller, the first networking device with the attribute data prior to launching the virtual machine manager, wherein the first attribute preconfigures the first networking device to implement the first virtual network interface card on the first virtual network partition;

launching, by the first processing device, the virtual machine manager on the host system;

querying, by the virtual machine manager, the first network device to determine if the first network device includes the first attribute;

reading, by the virtual machine manager, the first attribute from the first networking device;

assigning, by the host system, the first virtual network interface card to the first virtual network partition; and

configuring a virtual switch associated with the virtual machine manager to associate the first virtual machine with the first virtual network interface card.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the first attribute includes an indication that the first virtual network partition is associated with a network traffic type; and

assigning the first virtual network interface card to the first virtual network partition is in further response to determining that the first virtual network interface card is associated with the network traffic type.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the deployment template includes a second virtual network interface card definition for a second virtual network interface card for use by a second virtual machine instantiated on the host system, the method further comprising:

partitioning the first networking device of the host system with a second virtual network partition based upon the deployment template, wherein the second virtual network partition is associated with the second virtual network interface card definition, and wherein the attribute data includes a second attribute associated with the second virtual network interface device;

querying, by the virtual machine manager, the first network device to determine if the first network device includes the second attribute;

reading, by the virtual machine manager, the second attribute data from the first networking device;

assigning the second virtual network interface card to the second virtual network partition; and

configuring the virtual switch to associate a second virtual machine with the second virtual network interface card.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

partitioning a second networking device of the host system with a second virtual network partition based upon the deployment template, wherein in the second virtual network partition is associated with the first virtual network interface card definition, and wherein the first attribute is also associated with the second virtual network interface device;

assigning the first virtual network interface card to the second virtual network partition; and

configuring the virtual switch to associate the first virtual machine with the second virtual network interface card.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein:

the first attribute includes an indication that the first virtual network partition and the second virtual network partition are redundant network partitions.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein in loading the first network device with the attribute data, the method further comprises:

loading the attribute data to a capability pointer of the first network device.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein in loading the first network device with the attribute data, the method further comprises:

loading the attribute data to a memory associated with a basic input/output system of the host system; and

loading the attribute data from the memory to a vendor provided data storage of the first network device.

8. A host system comprising:

a processor;

a first networking device; and

a management controller to:

receive a deployment template out of band from the processing device, wherein the deployment template includes a first virtual network interface card definition for a first virtual network interface card for use by a first virtual machine instantiated on the host system;

partition the first networking device with a first virtual network partition based upon the deployment template prior to launching a virtual machine manager on the host system, wherein the first virtual network partition is associated with the first virtual network interface card definition;

receive attribute data, wherein the attribute data includes a first attribute associated with the first virtual network interface card; and

load the first networking device with the attribute data prior to launching the virtual machine manager, wherein the attribute preconfigures the first networking device to implement the first virtual network interface card on the first virtual network partition;

wherein the first processor is operable to launch the virtual machine manager to:

query the first network device to determine if the first network device includes the first attribute;

read the first attribute from the first networking device;

assign the first virtual network interface card to the first virtual network partition; and

configure a virtual switch associated with the virtual machine manager to associate the first virtual machine with the first virtual network interface card.

9. The host system of claim 8 , wherein:

the first attribute includes an indication that the first virtual network partition is associated with a network traffic type; and

assigning the first virtual network interface card to the first virtual network partition is in further response to determining that the first virtual network interface card is associated with the network traffic type.

10. The host system of claim 8 , wherein:

the deployment template includes a second virtual network interface card definition for a second virtual network interface card for use by a second virtual machine instantiated on the host system;

the management controller is further to partition the first networking device with a second virtual network partition based upon the deployment template, wherein the second virtual network partition is associated with the second virtual network interface card definition, and wherein the attribute data includes a second attribute associated with the second virtual network partition; and

the virtual machine manager is further operable to:

query the first network device to determine if the first network device includes the second attribute;

read the second attribute data from the first networking device;

assign the second virtual network interface card to the second virtual network partition; and

configure the virtual switch to associate a second virtual machine with the second virtual network interface card.

11. The host system of claim 8 , further comprising:

a second networking device;

wherein:

the management controller is further to partition the second networking device with a second virtual network partition based upon the deployment template, wherein in the second virtual network partition is associated with the first virtual network interface card definition, and wherein the first attribute is also associated with the second virtual network partition; and

the virtual machine manager is further to assign the first virtual network interface card to the second virtual network partition, and to configure the virtual switch to associate the first virtual machine with the second virtual network interface card.

12. The host system of claim 11 , wherein:

the first attribute includes an indication that the first virtual network partition and the second virtual network partition are redundant network partitions.

13. The host system of claim 8 , wherein in loading the first network device with the attribute data, the management controller is further to:

load the attribute data to a capability pointer of the first network device.

14. The host system of claim 8 , wherein in loading the first network device with the attribute data:

the management controller is further to load the attribute data to a memory associated with a basic input/output system of the host system; and

the processor is further to load the attribute data from the memory to a vendor provided data storage of the first network device.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including code for performing a method, the method comprising:

receiving, at a management controller of a host system, a deployment template from a management system coupled to the management controller, wherein the deployment template is received by the management controller out of band from a processing device of the host system, and wherein the deployment template includes a first virtual network interface card definition for a first virtual network interface card for use by a first virtual machine instantiated on the host system;

partitioning, by the host system, a first networking device of the host system with the first virtual network partition based upon the deployment template prior to launching a virtual machine manager on the host system, wherein the first virtual network partition is associated with the first virtual network interface card definition;

receiving attribute data from the management system, wherein the attribute data includes a first attribute associated with the first virtual network interface card;

loading, by the host system, the first networking device with the attribute data prior to launching the virtual machine manager, wherein the first attribute preconfigures the first networking device to implement the first virtual network interface card on the first virtual network partition;

launching, by the first processor, the virtual machine manager on the host system;

querying, by the virtual machine manager, the first network device to determine if the first network device includes the first attribute;

reading, by the virtual machine manager, the first attribute from the first networking device;

assigning, by the host system, the first virtual network interface card to the first virtual network partition; and

configuring a virtual switch associated with the virtual machine manager to associate the first virtual machine with the first virtual network interface card.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein:

the first attribute includes an indication that the first virtual network partition is associated with a network traffic type; and

assigning the first virtual network interface card to the first virtual network partition is in further response to determining that the first virtual network interface card is associated with the network traffic type.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the deployment template includes a second virtual network interface card definition for a second virtual network interface card for use by a second virtual machine instantiated on the host system, the method further comprising:

partitioning the first networking device of the host system with a second virtual network partition based upon the deployment template, wherein the second virtual network partition is associated with the second virtual network interface card definition, and wherein the attribute data includes a second attribute associated with the second virtual network partition;

querying, by the virtual machine manager, the first network device to determine if the first network device includes the second attribute;

reading, by the virtual machine manager, the second attribute data from the first networking device; and

assigning the second virtual network interface card to the second virtual network partition; and

configuring the virtual switch to associate a second virtual machine with the second virtual network interface card.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 15 , the method further comprising:

partitioning a second networking device of the host system with a second virtual network partition based upon the deployment template, wherein in the second virtual network partition is associated with the first virtual network interface card definition, and wherein the first attribute is also associated with the second virtual network partition; and

assigning the first virtual network interface card to the second virtual network partition; and

configuring the virtual switch to associate the first virtual machine with the second virtual network interface card.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18 , wherein:

the first attribute includes an indication that the first virtual network partition and the second virtual network partition are redundant network partitions.

Assignments (15)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (053546/0001) Recorded Jun 23, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 071642/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (045455/0001) Recorded May 20, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061753/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (040136/0001) Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061324/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: DELL USA L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 058216/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2020
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053546/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 21, 2019
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049452/0223 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0618 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040040/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0216 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031899/0261 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031898/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031897/0348 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 14, 2013
From: KHATRI, MUKUND P.; SHETTY, SUDHIR V.
To: DELL PRODUCTS, LP
Reel/Frame 030613/0155 →