Implement virtio-net driver

[Jakub Jermář]

Implement a native HelenOS driver for virtio network device.

Details

Virtio is a ​specification for virtual I/O devices that allows to use paravirtualized drivers with an otherwise fully-virtualized guest OS, leading to more efficient I/O.

Virtio network device (virtio-net) is currently supported by KVM and VirtualBox.

The new driver should be realized as a module which plugs itself into the HelenOS networking stack and implements the network interface card interface in the Virtio net specific way.

What Gains and Benefits will this bring?

HelenOS might need a virtio network device driver if we want to run it in a KVM-hosting and serve some web content (e.g. microkernel.info) to the public from it.

Difficulty

medium to high

Required skills

A successful applicant will have good skills of programming in the C language and the ability to learn and use HelenOS specific I/O functions. A successful applicant should have a fair understanding of the workings of the networking stack and the NICF too.

Documentation

• ​specification Virtio network device
• HelenOS NICF documentation

Possible mentors

HelenOS Core Team, Jakub Jermar