Data Center Network Address Resolution Mediators for L2 Over L3 Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data center implementations using overlay network virtualization, particularly those relying on bidirectional Protocol Independent Multicast (PIM), are not satisfactory due to hardware limitations and lack of isolation between traffic from different entities, leading to inefficiencies in data processing and storage.

Innovation Solution

An information handling system is developed with core, distribution, and top-of-rack devices, featuring hypervisors managing virtual switches and virtual machines, along with local and global network address resolution mediators to create a virtual network with a multicast tree over a physical network, utilizing protocols like Open vSwitch and PIM Sparse Mode for efficient packet management and isolation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If overlay network virtualization is implemented using bidirectional PIM, then network isolation between entities is improved, but hardware compatibility deteriorates due to limited hardware support

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork isolationVSAvoidhardware compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces address resolution mediators as intermediary components that facilitate communication between virtual machines across different physical hosts. These mediators handle address resolution requests and enable L2-over-L3 communication without requiring bidirectional PIM support in the underlying hardware, thus maintaining network isolation while improving hardware compatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the network address resolution function into distributed address resolution mediators deployed on individual physical hosts. This segmentation allows each host to independently handle address resolution for its virtual machines, eliminating the need for centralized bidirectional PIM support while maintaining isolation between virtual networks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional L2 networking is used, then hardware compatibility is maintained, but network isolation between entities deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware compatibilityVSAvoidnetwork isolation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements L2-over-L3 networking by adding an additional networking dimension. Virtual machines communicate using L2 addressing (MAC addresses) while the underlying physical network uses L3 routing (IP addresses). This dimensional overlay enables network isolation through virtual switching while maintaining compatibility with standard L3 network infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If L2 over L3 communication is implemented, then network isolation is improved, but system complexity increases due to address resolution mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork isolationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The address resolution mediators operate autonomously on each physical host, independently handling address resolution for local virtual machines. Each mediator maintains local address resolution information and can service requests without requiring complex centralized control, thus improving network isolation while limiting the increase in system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If distributed address resolution mediators are deployed, then hardware compatibility is improved, but information management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware compatibilityVSAvoidinformation management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The distributed address resolution mediators implement feedback mechanisms where address resolution information is propagated throughout the network. When a mediator learns about a virtual machine's address mapping, it shares this information with other mediators through controlled multicast communication, ensuring all mediators have the necessary information without requiring centralized management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9864619B2Systems and methods for a data center architecture facilitating layer 2 over layer 3 communication

Publication Date: 2018.01.09 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

An information handling system is provided. The information handling system includes a plurality of core devices coupled to each other and to a plurality of distribution devices and a plurality of top-of-rack devices coupled to a plurality of servers and to the distribution devices. The plurality of servers are running hypervisors thereon that each manage a virtual switch and a plurality of virtual machines (VMs). The information handling system further includes a plurality of local network address resolution mediators, with each local network address resolution mediator running on one of the plurality of servers and receiving packets from VMs running thereon, and a global network address resolution mediator running on one of the plurality of core devices. The global network address resolution mediator is in communication with each of the plurality of local network address resolution mediators to collect and distribute packets from the plurality of VMs.