Access Switch Data Plane Proxy for Control Plane Upgrade
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Solution Overview
Problem
During a control plane software upgrade of an access switch, existing solutions cause network service disruptions for host computers as the control plane becomes non-functional, and reprogramming kernels in different host computers is difficult and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
The data plane of the access switch is utilized to provide control plane proxy services by identifying a peer switch, encapsulating and forwarding control plane query packets, and receiving responses to maintain continuous service for host computers during the upgrade.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control plane software of an access switch is upgraded, then the control plane functionality is improved, but network service continuity deteriorates during the upgrade process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a peer access switch as an intermediary to provide proxy control plane services during the upgrade process. When the primary access switch is upgrading its control plane software, the peer switch acts as a mediator that receives control plane query packets from host computers, processes them using its own control plane, and returns responses. This intermediary mechanism ensures continuous network service availability while the primary switch undergoes software upgrades.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary actions by pre-configuring peer access switches to provide proxy services before the actual upgrade occurs. The system identifies and prepares peer switches in advance, establishing the proxy service framework before the control plane software upgrade begins. This allows the network to seamlessly transition to proxy mode when needed, minimizing service disruption.
2Loss of time
If host computer kernels are reprogrammed to avoid sending control plane messages during upgrade, then service disruption is reduced, but implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the network infrastructure to serve itself during upgrades through the proxy mechanism. Instead of requiring host computer kernels to be reprogrammed to detect and avoid sending control plane messages during upgrades, the system automatically handles this through the peer switch proxy. The peer switch monitors and processes control plane traffic transparently, eliminating the need for complex kernel modifications on host computers while maintaining service continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods utilize the data plane of an access switch to aid in providing control plane proxy services when the access switch is undergoing a software upgrade on its control plane. In one aspect, a method includes providing a peer switch with current state information of the host computer, encapsulating a control plane query packet sent from the host computer using a first hardware circuit of the access switch, forwarding the encapsulated control plane query packet to the peer switch using the first hardware circuit. The method further includes receiving a response to the control plane query packet from the peer switch using the first hardware circuit and directing the response to the host computer.