Cloud Switch for Hybrid Network Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for integrating on-premises networking infrastructure with cloud services lack seamless deployment, configuration, and maintenance, leading to inefficiencies and limitations in growing hybrid networks.
Innovation Solution
A scalable cloud switch implemented by cloud services that allows network administrators to add logical and physical cloud ports, enabling connectivity between on-premises infrastructure and cloud resources, with a centralized management interface for efficient administration and scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If VPN connections and special physical/virtual solutions are used to link cloud services with on-premises networks, then network connectivity between cloud and on-premises infrastructure is achieved, but deployment complexity and administrative burden increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud gateway as an intermediary component that simplifies the connection between on-premises networks and cloud services. The cloud gateway handles VPN establishment, configuration, and maintenance centrally, eliminating the need for administrators to manually configure multiple VPN connections across different locations. This intermediary abstracts the complexity of network linking while maintaining reliable connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple distributed network management functions into a single centralized cloud gateway. Instead of managing VPN connections and network configurations separately at each on-premises location and in the cloud, the solution combines these functions into one unified management point, reducing deployment complexity and administrative overhead.
2Reliability
If distributed VPN connections are established between cloud and on-premises networks, then network connectivity is achieved, but maintenance and monitoring become burdensome and disjointed
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud gateway serves as a centralized intermediary for monitoring and maintaining all VPN connections. Instead of administrators needing to separately monitor each VPN connection at distributed locations, the cloud gateway provides unified visibility and control over all network connections, making maintenance and monitoring straightforward and centralized.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements centralized feedback mechanisms where the cloud gateway continuously monitors the status of all VPN connections and network components, providing real-time visibility and automated alerts. This feedback loop enables administrators to maintain network connectivity efficiently without manually checking each connection point.
3Reliability
If traditional hybrid network topology is used with separate cloud and on-premises network configurations, then network connectivity is established, but uniform network view and scalability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud gateway provides a universal management interface that works across multiple cloud providers and on-premises network configurations. This multi-functional platform enables the same management approach to be used regardless of the underlying infrastructure, providing a uniform network view and facilitating easy scalability to new locations or cloud services without requiring specialized configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for integration of networking infrastructure with network services running in a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) of an enterprise network. According to one embodiment, a cloud switch implemented by cloud services provided by a cloud service provider, creates a logical cloud port to provide connectivity to one of multiple resources provided by the cloud service provider. The cloud switch creates a physical cloud port to provide connectivity to a physical, on-premises network infrastructure component of multiple physical network infrastructure components within the enterprise network. The logical cloud port is associated with a particular resource and the physical cloud port is associated with a physical port of a physical network infrastructure component of the multiple physical network infrastructure components.