Distributed Path Computation With Centralized Multi-Cloud Enforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud providers offer basic, static network configuration and routing capabilities, limiting the ability to select optimal network paths tailored to the requirements of larger and more complex software applications, especially across multiple clouds or between cloud and on-premises resources, which is largely manual and inflexible.
Innovation Solution
A central controller initializes and coordinates monitoring agents deployed to network regions, which collect and share monitoring data to compute optimal paths between application segments, programming these paths into the routing APIs of various network environments using a distributed path computation and centralized path enforcement approach.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a static network configuration approach is used, then network stability is maintained, but the ability to select optimal network paths dynamically is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic path computation by deploying monitoring agents across multiple network regions that continuously collect and share monitoring data. These agents dynamically compute optimal paths between application segments based on real-time network conditions, replacing static routing configurations with adaptive, condition-based path selection while maintaining network stability through controlled implementation.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual path configuration is used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but scalability to complex software applications across multiple clouds is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the network system to automatically configure optimal paths through self-service mechanisms. Monitoring agents autonomously collect network data, compute optimal paths, and enforce selected paths without manual intervention. This automated self-configuration scales to complex multi-cloud applications while maintaining implementation simplicity through standardized agent deployment across network regions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If distributed path computation is implemented, then optimal path selection capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the path computation function into distributed monitoring agents deployed across multiple network regions. Each agent independently monitors its local region and participates in collective path computation, breaking down the complex centralized computation task into manageable distributed units. This segmentation enables optimal path selection across multi-cloud environments while managing system complexity through modular, region-specific agent instances.
4Reliability
If centralized path enforcement is used, then path selection consistency is improved, but response time to changing network conditions may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having monitoring agents continuously pre-collect and share monitoring data across network regions before path changes are needed. This advance data gathering enables the distributed path computation to quickly determine optimal paths when network conditions change, maintaining centralized enforcement consistency while reducing response time through pre-positioned information.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes techniques for enabling distributed path computation and centralized path enforcement in a computer network used to implement a software application. In some cases, the disclosed techniques include using a central controller that initializes and coordinates monitoring agents deployed to network regions. The monitoring agents may collect monitoring data associated with application segments in their respective regions and share this data with each other. Using the aggregated data, the agents can compute optimal paths between application segment pairs spanning multiple regions. The optimal inter-region paths may be sent to the controller, which can program the paths into the routing application programming interfaces (APIs) of the various network environments like public cloud and on-premises networks.