Cloud Storage Overlay Networking via Tunneling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cloud-based data storage systems lack a consistent internal network model that supports both physical appliances and public cloud deployments, as they do not allow predefined IPv4 addresses for inter-node communication and IPv6 Unique Local Addresses (ULA) for intra-cluster communication, necessitating manual network configuration and redesign of internal components.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an overlay/underlay networking concept using tunneling solutions like VxLAN, where internal VSA networks become overlay networks carried by cloud-native underlay networking, employing routable IP addresses to maintain application transparency and flexibility, allowing existing internal networking organizations to function seamlessly in the cloud.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If predefined IPv4 addresses are used for inter-node communication in cloud-based storage systems, then existing internal network configurations can be maintained, but cloud network routing limitations are violated causing communication failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces network virtualization layers as intermediary components between the physical cloud network and the storage system's internal network. These virtualization layers translate and map between cloud network addresses and internal node addresses, enabling storage systems to maintain their traditional networking models while operating in the cloud environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements tunneling mechanisms that create virtual network dimensions overlaying the physical cloud network. By encapsulating internal network traffic within tunnel endpoints, the system adds a virtual networking dimension that isolates internal communication from cloud network routing constraints.
2Adaptability or versatility
If IPv6 Unique Local Addresses (ULA) are used for intra-cluster communication, then scalable cluster addressing is achieved, but cloud infrastructure networking limitations are exceeded requiring manual configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service networking where the system automatically generates, assigns, and manages network addresses and routing configurations. The network virtualization layer automatically translates between ULA and cloud network addresses, eliminating the need for manual network configuration while maintaining scalability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes network address parameters based on the operational context. The system can automatically generate ULA for intra-cluster communication and translate them to appropriate cloud network addresses, allowing the same infrastructure to adapt to different networking requirements without manual intervention.
3Reliability
If manual network configuration is used to adapt to cloud infrastructure, then network compatibility is achieved, but system complexity and configuration errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces network virtualization layers as intermediary components between the physical cloud network and the storage system's internal network. These virtualization layers translate and map between cloud network addresses and internal node addresses, enabling storage systems to maintain their traditional networking models while operating in the cloud environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service networking where the system automatically generates, assigns, and manages network addresses and routing configurations. The network virtualization layer automatically translates between ULA and cloud network addresses, eliminating the need for manual network configuration while maintaining scalability.
4Productivity
If internal network addresses are made routable in cloud network, then direct communication is enabled, but internal network isolation and security are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into distinct virtual layers: the physical cloud network and the virtual internal network. By separating these layers through tunneling and virtualization, the system maintains network isolation and security while enabling efficient communication through the tunnel endpoints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces network virtualization layers as intermediary components between the physical cloud network and the storage system's internal network. These virtualization layers translate and map between cloud network addresses and internal node addresses, enabling storage systems to maintain their traditional networking models while operating in the cloud environment.
Data Source
AI summary
A cloud-based virtualized data storage system includes cloud computing infrastructure executing instances of virtual storage appliance (VSA) software to realize respective VSAs which have virtualized network interfaces to a cloud network and to cloud storage. Each VSA has storage processor (SP) nodes each having (1) an inter-node (IN) network interface for communicating with the other SP node of the VSA and an intra-cluster (IC) network interface for communicating with other VSAs of a cluster, the IN and IC network interfaces using private network addresses not routable in the cloud network, and (2) a network virtualization layer connecting the IN and IC network interfaces to an IN tunnel and an IC tunnel, respectively, carried in the cloud network using cloud network addresses routable in the cloud network, with the IN tunnel providing communications between the SP nodes of a VSA, and the IC tunnel providing communications among VSAs of a cluster.