Dynamic processor mapping for virtual machine network traffic queues

Abstract

An algorithm for dynamically adjusting the number of processors servicing Virtual Machine Queues (VMQ) and the mapping of the VMQ to the processors based on network load and processor usage in the system. The algorithm determines the total load on a processor and depending on whether the total load exceeds or falls below a threshold respectively, the algorithm moves at least one of the VMQs to a different processor based on certain criteria such as whether the destination processor is the home processor to the VMQ or whether it shares a common NUMA node with the VMQ. By doing so, better I/O throughput and lower power consumption can be achieved.