Time-Sensitive Cloud Application Failover via Preconfigured Network Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers experience network connectivity issues that lead to poor performance in real-time communications services, such as meeting drops and gaming session interruptions, due to slow path convergence and lack of clear signals for retargeting during network failures or overloads, leading to inefficiencies and customer dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism is provided to expose multiple IP addresses on host endpoints, injecting unique protocol extensions, and correlating network signals for fast convergence and data path control, enabling seamless service delivery during unplanned outages and overloaded scenarios by switching to backup paths or servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional network path convergence methods are used, then network stability is maintained, but convergence speed is slow causing service interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-establishes multiple network paths and assigns IP addresses to them before failures occur. When a network failure is detected, the system can immediately switch to a pre-configured backup path without needing to discover and establish a new path, thus achieving fast convergence while maintaining service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a signaling mechanism that acts as an intermediary between network monitoring systems and communication services. This signaling system rapidly transmits failure information and path switching instructions, enabling fast convergence while ensuring reliable service transition through coordinated path switching.
2Reliability
If multiple network paths are established with clear retargeting signals, then service availability improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing network infrastructure multi-functional by enabling it to handle both primary and backup path functions. The same network equipment and protocols are used for both normal operation and failover scenarios, reducing the need for specialized complex components while improving service availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the network system to automatically detect failures, select alternative paths, and switch services without human intervention. The self-service capability reduces operational complexity by eliminating manual path management while maintaining high service availability through automated failover mechanisms.
3Loss of time
If fast path switching is implemented, then service recovery time decreases, but implementation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces implementation costs by pre-configuring path switching capabilities during normal operation rather than requiring expensive real-time path discovery and establishment mechanisms. The preliminary setup of backup paths and switching logic enables fast recovery while using existing network infrastructure, avoiding the need for costly specialized hardware or protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
Failover functionality is by identifying at least two network paths for a media communications session between a virtual machine at a computing environment and a client application. Unique Internet Protocol (IP) addresses are assigned for the at least two network paths. Based on application and network metrics at the computing environment, a network condition at the computing environment is determined that is indicative of a performance degradation of the media communications session. A signal is communicated to the client service indicating a switch to a second path of the at least two network paths and a second of the unique IP addresses.