Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method of forwarding data messages to a machine that executes on a host computer and has an associated virtual network interface controller (VNIC) also executing on the host computer. The method retrieves data messages from a queue associated with the VNIC and stores these data messages in a first set of buffer data stores associated with the VNIC. When the first buffer set reaches a threshold congestion level, the method stores data messages subsequently retrieved from the VNIC queue in a second set of buffer data stores associated with the VNIC. In some embodiments, a set of one or more processes executing on the machine retrieves the data messages stored in the buffer sets for processing by these processes or other processes.

Abstract: A method of migrating states of virtual network interface controllers (vNICs) of virtual computing instances between data processing units (DPUs), includes the steps of: in response to detecting a failure in a first DPU, transmitting a request to the first DPU for a state of a first vNIC of a first virtual computing instance, wherein the state of the first vNIC includes memory locations at which network packets of the first vNIC are to be stored by one of the first vNIC and a first virtual function (VF) of the first DPU for further processing by the other; and transmitting the state of the first vNIC, received from the first DPU in response to the request, to a second DPU, and instructing a second VF of the second DPU to store and process network packets of the first vNIC based on the state of the first vNIC.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method of forwarding data messages to a machine that executes on a host computer and has an associated virtual network interface controller (VNIC) also executing on the host computer. The method retrieves data messages from a queue associated with the VNIC and stores these data messages in a first set of buffer data stores associated with the VNIC. When the first buffer set reaches a threshold congestion level, the method stores data messages subsequently retrieved from the VNIC queue in a second set of buffer data stores associated with the VNIC. In some embodiments, a set of one or more processes executing on the machine retrieves the data messages stored in the buffer sets for processing by these processes or other processes.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods, and software to offload an eXpress Data Path (XDP) operation from a virtual machine to the hypervisor or smart network interface on the host. In one implementation, a method includes, in a virtual machine on a host, passing an XDP configuration for the virtual machine to a hypervisor on the host. The method further includes, in the hypervisor initiating a process to implement the XDP configuration, identifying a packet directed to the virtual machine, and applying the process to the packet to determine an action for the packet.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for offloading one or more data message processing services from a machine executing on a host computer. The method is performed at a virtual network interface card (VNIC) that executes within a set of virtualization software executing on the host computer and that is connected to the machine. The method uses a set of configuration data received from the machine to perform the set of data message processing services for a first set of data messages belonging to a particular data message flow associated with the machine. The method determines that a physical network interface card (PNIC) connected to the host computer is available to perform the set of data message processing services for a subsequent second set of data messages belonging to the particular data message flow. The method directs the PNIC to perform the set of data message processing services for subsequent data messages belonging to the particular data message flow.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for offloading one or more data message processing services from a machine executing on a host computer. The method is performed at a virtual network interface card (VNIC) that executes on the host computer and is connected to the machine. The method receives, through a communications channel between the machine and the VNIC, (1) configuration data associated with processing data messages belonging to a particular data message flow associated with the machine, and (2) a set of service rules defined for the particular data message flow. The method determines that a first data message received at the VNIC belongs to the particular data message flow and matches at least one service rule in the set of service rules. The method performs, on the first data message, a service specified by the at least one service rule.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for offloading one or more data message processing services from a machine executing on a host computer. The method is performed by the machine. The method uses a set of virtual resources allocated to the machine to perform a set of services for a first set of data messages belonging to a particular data message flow. The method determines that for a second set of data messages belonging to the particular data message flow, the set of services should be performed by a virtual network interface card (VNIC) that executes on the host computer and is attached to the machine. Based on the determination, the method directs the VNIC to perform the set of services for the second set of data messages. The VNIC uses resources of the host computer to perform the set of services for the second set of data messages.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an approach for segmenting a user datagram protocol (UDP) packets. A method includes generating the UDP packet, containing UDP data, at a virtual computing instance (VCI) running on a host machine; sending the UDP packet from the VCI to a hypervisor running on the host machine; after sending the UDP packet to the hypervisor, segmenting the UDP packet into a plurality of UDP segments, wherein each of the plurality of UDP segments includes a portion of the UDP data and a UDP header; and transmitting the plurality of UDP segments, over a network, to a destination of the UDP packet.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an approach for segmenting a user datagram protocol (UDP) packets. A method includes generating the UDP packet, containing UDP data, at a virtual computing instance (VCI) running on a host machine; sending the UDP packet from the VCI to a hypervisor running on the host machine; after sending the UDP packet to the hypervisor, segmenting the UDP packet into a plurality of UDP segments, wherein each of the plurality of UDP segments includes a portion of the UDP data and a UDP header; and transmitting the plurality of UDP segments, over a network, to a destination of the UDP packet.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method of forwarding data messages to a machine that executes on a host computer and has an associated virtual network interface controller (VNIC) also executing on the host computer. The method retrieves data messages from a queue associated with the VNIC and stores these data messages in a first set of buffer data stores associated with the VNIC. When the first buffer set reaches a threshold congestion level, the method stores data messages subsequently retrieved from the VNIC queue in a second set of buffer data stores associated with the VNIC. In some embodiments, a set of one or more processes executing on the machine retrieves the data messages stored in the buffer sets for processing by these processes or other processes.