Network system and network connection method

Abstract

We provide a network system that takes advantage of the characteristics of APN. [Solution] A network system 1 connects data centers A and B via an APN. The APN forms a wavelength path between any APN-T. Virtual networks 110, 120, and 130 configured on the network system 1 are associated with the wavelength paths, and an optical path through which traffic passes is determined for each of the virtual networks 110, 120, and 130.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a network system and a network connection method. [Background technology]

[0002] It is expected that maintainability and operational efficiency will be improved by utilizing distributed data centers and treating them as one large data center, rather than concentrating them in one centralized data center.

[0003] Non-Patent Document 1 describes the interconnection of Network Virtualization Overlay (NVO) using Ethernet VPN (EVPN).

[0004] Non-Patent Document 2 describes network service technology using the All Photonics Network (APN). The APN is a network that provides end-to-end optical connections and can flexibly provide optical paths connecting any point. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] L. Krattiger, et al., “Multi-Site Solution for Ethernet VPN (EVPN) Overlay”, IETF, November 4, 2023 [Non-Patent Document 2] Akio Kawabata and Yuji Aoyagi, "Network Service Technology Realized by APN," NTT Technical Journal, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, August 2021, Vol. 33, No. 8, pp. 10-14 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] When connecting distributed data centers to build one virtual data center, it is possible to combine the technology of Non-Patent Document 1 and the technology of Non-Patent Document 2. In this case, a network system that makes use of the characteristics of APN is desired.

[0007] In the services provided by data centers, operators and uses are separated on a network-by-network basis and used by each tenant. A tenant here refers to a company, organization, or service that uses the resources provided by a data center. Even if the data center is distributed, segment separation for each tenant is necessary.

[0008] Looking at each layer of a network from the viewpoint of separation, in layer 1, a wavelength path can be established for each wavelength using the technology in Non-Patent Document 2, making it possible to virtually separate dark fibers. In layers 2 and 3, network slicing technologies using Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) and Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), which are also used in Non-Patent Document 1, are widespread as commercial systems. However, network slicing that covers layers 1 to 3 as a set has not been provided.

[0009] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a network system that makes use of the characteristics of APN. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A network system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a network system in which a plurality of networks are connected via an optical network, the optical network forms optical paths between arbitrary end points, and determines an optical path through which traffic is to pass for each virtual network by associating virtual networks configured on the network system with the optical paths. Each of the plurality of networks includes a gateway device at the boundary of the network, and a gateway device through which traffic passes is determined for each of the virtual networks. .

[0011] A network connection method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a network connection method in a network system that connects a plurality of networks via an optical network, in which the optical network forms optical paths between arbitrary end points, and determines an optical path through which traffic is to pass for each virtual network by associating the optical paths with virtual networks configured on the network system. Each of the plurality of networks includes a gateway device at a boundary of the network, and a gateway device through which traffic passes is determined for each of the virtual networks. . Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present disclosure, a network system that makes use of the characteristics of APN can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a network system according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a tunnel formed in the network system of the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a tunnel that is formed when VXLAN multi-site is not introduced. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of use of the network system of this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a network system 1 according to the present embodiment. The network system 1 shown in the figure is a network in which a data center A and a data center B are connected via an APN. The configuration in Fig. 1 is only an example, and in addition to the data centers A and B, another data center may be connected to the APN.

[0016] The networks of data centers A and B (hereinafter referred to as data centers A and B) have a spine-leaf architecture consisting of two tiers of spines 210 and leaves 220. The spine-leaf architecture is a method of configuring a network with two tiers of leaf switches that accommodate terminal devices and spine switches that connect the leaf switches. A server 230 is connected to the leaf 220. The configuration of data centers A and B is not limited to the spine-leaf architecture.

[0017] In the network system 1, VXLAN is used to configure independent virtual networks 110, 120, and 130 (also called VXLAN segments) for each tenant. VXLAN is an overlay network technology that builds a logical L2 network on an L3 network. In VXLAN, a VXLAN Tunnel End Point (VTEP) installed at the boundary of the network encapsulates Ethernet frames and tunnels the IP network, thereby forming a single L2 network across multiple bases. A unique Virtual Network Identifier (VNI) is assigned to each of the virtual networks 110, 120, and 130.

[0018] The network system 1 introduces a VXLAN multisite and includes a border gateway (BGW) at the boundary between the data centers A and B and the outside. The data centers A and B are interconnected via the BGW to configure virtual networks 110, 120, and 130. Specifically, the BGW becomes a VTEP for each virtual network, and as shown in FIG. 2, a tunnel is formed between the data centers A and B to connect the data centers A and B. In addition, in each of the data centers A and B, a tunnel is formed between the BGW and the leaf 220 for each virtual network. As a result, the virtual networks 110, 120, and 130 across the data centers A and B are formed. FIG. 2 shows an example of a tunnel for forming the virtual network 120 in FIG. 1. In addition, when the VXLAN multisite is not introduced, a tunnel is formed between the leaf 220 via the network 300 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0019] In the network system 1, a BGW through which traffic passes is specified for each of the virtual networks 110, 120, and 130 (for each VNI). In the example of Fig. 1, traffic of the virtual network 110 passes through BGW1 and BGW4, and traffic of the virtual networks 120 and 130 passes through BGW2 and BGW3. In other words, traffic to which the VNI of the virtual network 110 is assigned passes through BGW1 and BGW4, and traffic to which the VNI of the virtual networks 120 and 130 is assigned passes through BGW2 and BGW3.

[0020] Next, the configuration of the APN will be described.

[0021] The APN user plane is composed of optical fibers and communication devices corresponding to the APN Transceiver, APN Gateway, and APN Interchange functional blocks. Hereinafter, the communication devices corresponding to each functional block are referred to as APN-T, APN-G, and APN-I.

[0022] The APN-T is an end point of a wavelength path, and has a function of transmitting and receiving optical signals passing through the wavelength path. A wavelength path is formed between APN-Ts. In the example of FIG. 1, a wavelength path that transmits traffic of a virtual network 110 and wavelength paths that transmit traffic of virtual networks 120 and 130 are illustrated. The APN-T transmits optical signals based on signals received from data centers A and B. The APN-T transmits signals based on optical signals received from the wavelength path to data centers A and B. Note that, although the APN-Ts are illustrated as separate devices in FIG. 1, one device may have multiple interfaces corresponding to each APN-T.

[0023] The APN-G is a gateway for wavelength paths and performs wavelength division multiplexing on optical signals. For example, in FIG. 1, the APN-G may multiplex the wavelength path of the virtual network 110 and the wavelength paths of the virtual networks 120 and 130 for transmission.

[0024] An APN-I (not shown) is an exchange for switching wavelengths at the midpoint of a wavelength path, and has a wavelength cross-connect function for inputting an optical signal and outputting it to an arbitrary port.

[0025] An APN controller (not shown) controls the APN-T, APN-G, and APN-I, making it possible to dynamically form wavelength paths connecting any desired points.

[0026] The network system 1 associates the VTEP (BGW) between data centers A and B with the APN-T and determines the wavelength path through which the traffic of the virtual network passes for each virtual network. In other words, the network system 1 associates the VNI with the wavelength path and passes the traffic of a specific VNI through a specific wavelength path.

[0027] In the example of Fig. 1, the traffic of the virtual network 110 passes through a wavelength path formed between the APN-Ts in the upper part of the figure, and the traffic of the virtual networks 120 and 130 passes through a wavelength path formed between the APN-Ts in the lower part of the figure. That is, in the network system 1, the traffic of the virtual network 110 passes through BGW1 and BGW4, and the traffic of the virtual networks 120 and 130 passes through BGW2 and BGW3, and the BGWs and APN-Ts are connected one-to-one to determine the wavelength path to be passed for each virtual network. In other words, in the network system 1, the traffic of BGW1 is sent to the APN-T in the upper left part of the figure, the traffic of BGW2 is sent to the APN-T in the lower left part of the figure, the traffic of BGW3 is sent to the APN-T in the lower right part of the figure, and the traffic of BGW4 is sent to the APN-T in the upper right part of the figure. Note that, as long as a virtual network (or VNI) and a wavelength path can be linked, it is not necessary to connect the BGW and the APN-T one-to-one.

[0028] In addition, the BGW may have an APN-T function to form wavelength paths between the BGWs. In this case, the VNI and the wavelength path are linked, and traffic of a specific VNI can be routed through a specific wavelength path.

[0029] In this way, by separating layers 2 and 3 with VXLAN for each tenant, separating wavelengths with APN, and linking VNIs with wavelength paths, it is possible to provide network slicing as a set of layers 1 to 3. Because it is possible to strictly control the wavelength paths through which each tenant's traffic passes, it becomes possible to specify the network bandwidth between datacenters with fine granularity when providing datacenter resources.

[0030] When a fault occurs in the APN, the datacenter can detect the fault and switch paths, shortening the failover time. For example, if communication between datacenters for a specific VNI becomes impossible, it is possible that the wavelength path associated with that VNI has failed. In this case, the datacenter can simply switch the BGW through which the VNI passes so that the traffic for that VNI passes through a different wavelength path.

[0031] 4 is a diagram showing an example of use of the network system 1. In the diagram, the network system 1 is used as an application-oriented network that connects applications 240 and a storage synchronization network that connects storages 250. For example, if the Service Level Agreements (SLAs) required for the application-oriented network and the storage synchronization network are different, it is conceivable to provide a best-effort, multi-share network for the application-oriented network and a robust, bandwidth-guaranteed network for the storage synchronization network. In the network system 1 of this embodiment, a wavelength path can be specified for each virtual network, so that appropriate services according to the SLA can be provided.

[0032] As described above, the network system 1 of this embodiment is a network system 1 that connects data centers A and B via an APN. The APN forms a wavelength path between any APN-T. The virtual networks 110, 120, and 130 configured on the network system 1 are associated with the wavelength paths, and the wavelength path through which traffic passes is determined for each of the virtual networks 110, 120, and 130. This makes it possible to strictly control the traffic routes of the virtual networks 110, 120, and 130, and to provide network slicing that sets layers 1 to 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 1 Network System 110,120,130 Virtual Networks 210 Spine 220 Leaf 230 Server 240 Applications 250 Storage

Claims

1. A network system in which a plurality of networks are connected via an optical network, The optical network forms optical paths between any endpoints; determining an optical path through which traffic will pass for each virtual network by associating the virtual networks configured on the network system with the optical paths; Each of the plurality of networks includes a gateway device at a boundary of the network; A gateway device through which traffic passes is determined for each of the virtual networks. Network system.

2. 2. The network system according to claim 1, The gateway devices are connected by the optical path. Network system.

3. 2. The network system according to claim 1, The gateway device and the endpoint are connected one-to-one. Network system.

4. A network connection method in a network system that connects a plurality of networks via an optical network, comprising: The optical network forms optical paths between any endpoints; determining an optical path through which traffic will pass for each virtual network by associating the virtual networks configured on the network system with the optical paths; Each of the plurality of networks includes a gateway device at a boundary of the network; A gateway device through which traffic is routed is determined for each of the virtual networks. Network connection methods.

5. 5. The network connection method according to claim 4, The gateway devices are connected by the optical path. Network connection methods.

6. 5. The network connection method according to claim 4, The gateway device and the endpoint are connected one-to-one. Network connection methods.

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