Bootstrap Agent for Host Machine MCS Network Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
In L3-based hosting systems, host machines running different overlay networks lack easy access to manager and controller machines of the management and control system, making it difficult to configure and manage logical networks.
Innovation Solution
A bootstrap agent is employed to configure host machines to communicate with the management and control system's logical network, using configuration data that includes IP addresses, URLs, or other identification data, allowing managed forwarding elements to connect to the MCS logical network and implement logical switches and routers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If host machines are connected to VLAN-backed networks in L2-based systems, then management and control traffic can be exchanged easily, but in L3-based systems without isolated VLAN-backed networks, host machines lack easy access to manager and controller machines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bootstrap agent as an intermediary component that runs on each host machine. This agent facilitates communication between the host machines and the management and control system by establishing network connections and exchanging configuration data, thereby resolving the access difficulty in L3-based systems without requiring VLAN-backed networks
2Ease of operation
If a bootstrap agent is introduced to provide configuration data, then host machines can connect to the MCS logical network, but additional components and configuration steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The bootstrap agent is designed to autonomously perform configuration tasks on each host machine. It automatically retrieves configuration data from the MCS logical network, configures the managed forwarding elements, and establishes network connections without requiring manual intervention, thereby reducing operational complexity despite adding a component
3Productivity
If configuration data is distributed through the MCS logical network, then logical forwarding elements can be implemented, but the MCS logical network configuration must remain unchanged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network configuration into separate logical networks: the MCS logical network for management and control, and guest logical networks for tenant workloads. This segmentation allows configuration data to be distributed to implement guest logical networks without modifying the stable MCS logical network configuration, enabling independent management of each network segment
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide a method for connecting a host machine to a management and control system (MCS) logical network. The method of some embodiments receives, at a managed forwarding element of the host machine, data that identifies a bootstrap agent. The method of some such embodiments receives this data once the host machine is booted up. The method connects to the agent to receive configuration data for the MCS logical network from the agent. The method uses the configuration data received from the agent to connect to the MCS logical network. After connecting to the MCS logical network, the method receives the necessary configuration data for at least one additional logical network (e.g., a guest logical network) from a set of control machines that is also connected to the MCS logical network.