Cloud VM Encapsulation via Layer 2 Header for VLAN Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Standard network devices struggle to manage communications between a large number of virtual machines in cloud computing environments, particularly when dealing with over 4,000 virtual local area networks (VLANs) and 16,000 media access control (MAC) addresses.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a Layer 2 encapsulation scheme where a source cloud computing device appends a header to packets destined for a destination virtual machine, including the destination cloud device's MAC address, source VM's VLAN identifier, and destination VM's VLAN identifier, allowing network devices to forward packets without needing to track VLAN identifiers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If standard network devices are used to manage communications between VMs, then network simplicity is maintained, but the ability to manage large numbers of VLANs and MAC addresses deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork device complexityVSAvoidability to manage large numbers of VLANs and MAC addresses

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cloud controller as an intermediary device that centralizes the management of VLAN identifiers and MAC addresses. The controller receives packets from source VMs, extracts VLAN information, and forwards packets to destination VMs without requiring network switches to track individual VLANs and MAC addresses. This mediator approach transfers the management burden from distributed network devices to a centralized controller, enabling support for large numbers of VLANs and MAC addresses while maintaining network simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If VLAN identifiers and MAC addresses are tracked by network devices, then communication accuracy is improved, but device overhead and congestion risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication accuracyVSAvoiddevice overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts VLAN identifier tracking and MAC address management functions from network devices and concentrates them in the cloud controller. The controller extracts VLAN information from packets and maintains the necessary mapping tables locally, eliminating the need for network switches to store and process extensive VLAN and MAC address information. This extraction reduces device overhead and memory requirements at network devices while preserving communication accuracy through centralized coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9912729B2Encapsulation scheme for cloud computing environment

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

A first cloud computing device includes a first virtual machine, and receives, from the first virtual machine, a packet destined for a second virtual machine provided in a second cloud computing device. The device appends, to the packet, a header that includes an address of the second cloud computing device, a virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier of the first virtual machine, and a VLAN identifier of the second virtual machine. The device provides the packet and the header to a cloud computing network for provision to the second virtual machine.