Connectivity Coordinator for Last-Mile Network Peerings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data center networks face challenges in providing reliable, secure, and high-performance connectivity for business-critical applications, particularly in environments requiring dedicated and dynamic network links to meet changing business needs.
Innovation Solution
A connectivity coordinator system that manages dedicated network connectivity between customer networks and provider networks using APIs, web-based interfaces, and other interfaces to establish and manage dedicated physical and logically-isolated network paths, allowing clients to select endpoint routers and configure network links for optimal performance, reliability, and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated physical network links are established between customer networks and provider networks, then network isolation and security are improved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
A connectivity coordinator system is introduced as an intermediary between customers and last-mile connectivity providers. The coordinator receives connectivity requests from customers, identifies suitable providers, and manages the establishment of dedicated physical links. This intermediary simplifies the complex process of establishing dedicated connections by abstracting the technical complexity from customers while maintaining high network isolation and security standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The connectivity management system is segmented into distinct functional components: customer interface, coordinator system, and provider interface. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific tasks independently, reducing overall system complexity. The coordinator segment specifically manages the complex provider selection and link establishment processes, while customers interact only with the simplified interface.
2Reliability
If dedicated physical network links are established, then performance and reliability are improved, but ease of operation and dynamic configuration capability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The connectivity coordinator enables self-service capabilities where customers can independently request, modify, and manage their dedicated connectivity through automated interfaces. The system automatically processes connectivity requests, selects appropriate providers, and configures links without requiring manual intervention from network administrators, thus maintaining ease of operation while ensuring high reliability through dedicated physical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic connectivity management where dedicated physical links can be established, modified, or terminated on-demand based on customer needs. The coordinator system dynamically selects providers and configures connection parameters in real-time, allowing the network topology to adapt flexibly to changing business requirements while maintaining the performance benefits of dedicated links.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connectivity providers are managed, then adaptability and service coverage are improved, but device complexity and management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connectivity coordinator is designed as a universal platform that can manage multiple last-mile connectivity providers through a standardized interface. It performs multiple functions including provider identification, connection request routing, link establishment management, and performance monitoring. This multi-functionality allows the system to work with diverse providers without increasing management complexity for customers.
Solution Approach 2:
The coordinator acts as a mediating layer between customers and multiple connectivity providers, abstracting provider-specific complexities from customers. It translates customer connectivity requests into provider-specific configurations and manages the interactions between customers and various providers, thereby improving service coverage while keeping management overhead centralized and controlled.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for interfaces to manage last-mile connectivity and dynamic reconfiguration for direct network peerings. A system may include a data center, endpoint routers and a connectivity coordinator. The coordinator implements an interface defining connectivity operations. The coordinator receives a request for dedicated connectivity to data center resources, formatted according to the interface. The coordinator determines a connectivity provider to provide last-mile connectivity to the requester, and transmits a notification identifying the selected connectivity provider.