Decoupled Network Manager for Virtual Switch Configuration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current network management systems are tightly coupled with physical compute infrastructure and compute management layers, lacking a central management portal for virtual networks and services, which restricts scalability and flexibility in cloud-scale datacenter operations.
Innovation Solution
A decoupled networking platform manages logical networks and services independently of compute managers and virtualization software vendors, using a single networking platform to control the edge of the logical network infrastructure, allowing for a network-centric viewpoint and decoupling of datacenter infrastructure software.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network management is tightly coupled with compute management elements, then integration between compute and network management is improved, but scalability and flexibility are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the management architecture into separate compute management and network management domains. The network manager operates independently of compute managers, allowing network policies to be defined and enforced without being tightly coupled to compute infrastructure. This segmentation enables scalable network management across multiple compute nodes while maintaining independent control over network policies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network manager as an intermediary between compute managers and the virtualization layer. This intermediary component handles network policy enforcement, virtual switch configuration, and network service provisioning independently, allowing compute managers to focus on compute resource management while the network manager handles network-related functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If virtual networks are managed through multiple compute manager instances, then distributed configuration is enabled, but management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges network management functions into a centralized network manager that operates independently of compute managers. This single network manager handles all virtual network configurations, switch management, and policy enforcement uniformly, eliminating the need for each compute manager to independently manage network resources and reducing overall management complexity.
3Ease of operation
If physical infrastructure management requires login to several physical switches, then detailed control over each switch is achieved, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual switches that are software-based copies of physical switch functionality. Instead of requiring administrators to physically access and configure multiple physical switches, the virtual switches replicate switch behavior in software, allowing configuration through a single network manager interface while maintaining detailed control over network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical switch configuration mechanisms with software-based virtual switching. The virtual switches implement switch functionality through software, eliminating the need for physical access to switches and enabling remote, centralized management through the network manager, thereby improving operational efficiency.
4Reliability
If virtual network management is coupled to virtualization software vendor, then integration with existing software is improved, but adaptability to different vendors and versions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the network manager with universal interfaces that can work across different virtualization software platforms and versions. The network manager implements standardized protocols and abstractions that allow it to manage virtual networks on various virtualization technologies without requiring vendor-specific integration, enabling multi-vendor and multi-version compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of configuring a plurality of logical forwarding elements (LFEs) on a physical computing device comprising virtualization software and a plurality of data compute nodes (DCNs) is provided. The method provisions a first LFE configured and managed by a network manager of a datacenter on the physical computing device, the first LFE for performing OSI L3)packet forwarding between DCNs on one or more hosts, the first LFE comprising a plurality of logical ports configured and managed by the network manager, each logical port of the first LFE for connecting a DCN to a logical network configured and managed by the network manager. The method provisions a second LFE configured and managed by a compute manager of the datacenter on the physical computing device, the second LFE for performing OSI L3 packet forwarding between DCNs on one or more hosts, the second LFE comprising a plurality of logical port groups configured and managed by the compute manager, each logical port of the second LFE for connecting a DCN to a logical network configured and managed by the compute manager. The method configures a first DCN in the plurality of DCNs by the compute manager to connect to a logical network configured and managed by the network manager through a port of the first LFE. The method configures a second DCN in the plurality of DCNs by the compute manager to connect to a logical network configured and managed by the compute manager through a port of the second LFE.