[libvirt-users] [RFC] per-device metadata

Hi, Currently libvirt supports metadata in the domain XML. This is very convenient for data related to the VM, but it is a little awkward for devices. Let's pretend I want to have extradata (say, a specific port for a virtual switch) related to a device (say, a NIC). Nowadays I can store that data in the metadata section, but I need some kind of mapping to correlate this piece of information to the specific device. I can use the device alias, but this is not available when the device is created. This is also more complex when doing hotplug/hotunplug, because I need to do update device and update metadata; if either fails, the entire operation must be considered failed. It would be nice to be able to attach metadata to the device, and this is what I'm asking for/proposing in this mail. Would it be possible in a future libvirt release? If this is not possible, what's the best way to do the aforementioned mapping? If it's alias (or device address), how can I be sure than I'm addressing (no pun intended) the right device when I don't have them? (e.g. hotplug new device, or just first time VM created)? Thanks, -- Francesco Romani Red Hat Engineering Virtualization R & D IRC: fromani