Distributed Network Emulation in Virtualized Environments
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network emulation approaches are not suitable for virtualized computing environments, as they require different tools for various operating systems, lack scalability, and produce inaccurate results due to their design for local area networks, which is not applicable to shared physical networks with varying characteristics.
Innovation Solution
Distributed network emulation is implemented by hosts in a virtualized computing environment, where a self-adaptive approach adjusts emulation actions based on physical network conditions to accurately mimic desired network characteristics, using network virtualization controllers and hypervisors to configure and apply network emulation rules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional network emulators are used in virtualized computing environments, then network emulation functionality is provided, but scalability is limited and accuracy deteriorates due to design for local area networks only
Solution Approach 1:
The network emulator is divided into multiple distributed network emulator components, each associated with a specific virtual machine or virtual network interface. Each component independently monitors and emulates network conditions for its assigned virtual machines, eliminating the single-point bottleneck and improving both scalability and accuracy for diverse network scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a centralized network emulation architecture to a distributed architecture across multiple hosts and virtual machines. This dimensional shift allows parallel emulation operations, improving scalability and enabling accurate emulation of various network types (mobile, satellite, wired, wireless) simultaneously across different virtualized environments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional network emulators are deployed, then network condition simulation is achieved, but system complexity increases due to requiring different tools for various operating systems
Solution Approach 1:
The distributed network emulator components are designed as universal modules that can be deployed across virtual machines running different operating systems (Windows, Linux, macOS). Each component provides the same network emulation functionality regardless of the guest OS, eliminating the need for multiple specialized tools and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The network virtualization controller acts as an intermediary that manages and coordinates the distributed network emulator components. It handles the complexity of cross-platform compatibility and provides a unified interface for configuring network emulation across diverse operating systems, simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Productivity
If centralized network emulation is implemented, then network control is centralized, but performance bottlenecks occur and scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized network emulation function is segmented into distributed components deployed on multiple hosts. Each component handles network emulation locally for its associated virtual machines, eliminating the performance bottleneck of centralized processing and reducing response time through localized decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
Each distributed network emulator component autonomously monitors its local network conditions and applies emulation rules without requiring constant communication with a central controller. This self-service capability reduces latency and improves response time while maintaining emulation accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Example methods are provided for a network management entity to implement distributed network emulation in a virtualized computing environment. The method may comprise: generating a translated network emulation rule by translating a source identifier and a destination identifier in a network emulation rule to respective source network address and destination network address, and configuring a source host or destination host to apply the translated network emulation rule to emulate a desired network condition for one or more first packets from the source network address to the destination network address. The method may further comprise: in response to detecting that the source network address or destination network address has been updated, updating the source network address or destination network address in the translated network emulation rule; and reconfiguring the source host or destination host to apply the updated translated network emulation rule.