Microsoft patents server setup that speeds up network data for isolated apps
This patent describes a server design that runs multiple isolated software containers inside a virtual machine. It uses a network card feature to send data directly to specific containers at the hardware level, skipping a slower software step.
In the filing’s own words
Examples described herein generally relate to a server for hosting process isolated containers within a virtual machine. The server includes at least one physical processor; at least one physical computer memory storing executable code for execution by the at least one physical processor, and a physical network interface controller, NIC. The executable code may be configured to provide a host virtual machine and at least one process isolated container within the host virtual machine. The physical NIC includes a physical NIC switch configured to distribute incoming data packets to a plurality of functions including a physical function and virtual functions. At least one of the virtual functions is assigned to an individual process isolated container within the virtual machine. The virtual function assigned to the individual process isolated container allows the physical NIC switch to distribute incoming data packets for the individual process isolated container at a hardware level.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A server for hosting process isolated containers within a virtual machine, comprising: at least one physical processor; at least one physical computer memory storing executable code for execution by the at least one physical processor, the executable code configured to provide a host virtual machine and a plurality of process isolated containers within the host virtual machine, wherein each of the plurality of process isolated containers includes a respective transport control protocol/internet protocol (TCPIP) file that defines TCPIP settings enabling isolated TCPIP processing for the process isolated container; and a physical network interface controller (NIC) including a physical NIC switch configured to distribute incoming data packets, via a physical function, to a plurality of virtual functions, wherein a respective virtual function is assigned to the process isolated container of the plurality of process isolated containers within the host virtual machine thereby bypassing a virtual switch and enabling hardware acceleration for the isolated TCPIP processing via access to the at least one physical processor and based on the TCPIP settings defined via the respective TCPIP file included in the process isolated container.
Facts
- Company
- Microsoft (Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC)
- Official title
- Computer device including process isolated containers with assigned virtual functions
- Patent number
- US12737205B2
- Application number
- 17628153
- Filed
- Aug 25, 2020
- Granted
- Sep 15, 2026
- Inventors
- 4
- Claims
- 17
Classified under
G06F 9/45533 Physics & computingH04L 63/0272 Electricity & electronicsMore from Microsoft in Chips & hardware
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.