Distributed Virtual Network Overlay for VM Guests

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Solution Overview

Problem

Centralized network communication in virtualized environments leads to unnecessary overhead and complexity, requiring a separate virtual machine for switching and balancing issues between virtual machine guests.

Innovation Solution

A distributed communication system where each virtualized host has a communication port with independent control logic, enabling communication between guests over a physical network using a media access (MAC) discovery mechanism and address resolution protocol, forming a virtualized network overlay without relying on physical network awareness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a centralized switch is used for network communication between virtual machine guests, then network routing functionality is provided, but overhead and complexity increase and balancing issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork communication complexityVSAvoidnetwork communication efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized switch functionality is segmented and distributed across multiple virtual machine guests. Each guest is assigned a virtual network interface card (vNIC) that contains switching logic, transforming a single centralized switching function into multiple distributed switching nodes. This segmentation eliminates the need for a dedicated centralized switch VM, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining routing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual network interface cards are configured to automatically discover and establish communication paths between guests without requiring centralized control. The vNICs perform self-configuration and self-routing based on destination addresses, enabling the network to self-organize and eliminate the need for manual switching configuration or centralized management overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If a dedicated virtual machine is assigned for switching, then network routing is enabled, but system resources are consumed and scalability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork scalabilityVSAvoidsystem resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual network interface card is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a network interface for the guest and as a switching node for the virtual network. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated switching resources, as each guest's vNIC contributes to both its own communication needs and the overall network routing functionality, thereby reducing total resource consumption while improving scalability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The switching functionality is merged with the network interface card functionality in each virtual machine guest. Instead of having separate switching infrastructure, the routing and switching capabilities are combined into the vNICs that already exist for each guest, consolidating resources and eliminating the need for additional dedicated switching VMs or hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If centralized control logic is used, then network management is simplified, but single point of failure risk increases and responsiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork communication reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol logic architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized control logic is segmented and distributed across multiple vNICs in different virtual machine guests. Each vNIC contains independent switching logic that can autonomously make routing decisions. This distribution eliminates the single point of failure associated with centralized control, as the network can continue functioning even if individual vNICs fail, while also reducing the complexity of managing a single centralized controller.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual network interface cards act as intermediaries between guests, performing local switching decisions without requiring communication with a centralized controller. This intermediary functionality at the vNIC level enables distributed control, improving reliability by removing the single point of failure while maintaining simplified management through standardized vNIC interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9647902B2Virtualized network for virtualized guests as an independent overlay over a physical network

Publication Date: 2017.05.09 ORACLE RAVELLO SYST LTD

AI summary

An independent overlay and a method for creating an independent overlay of a virtualized network for virtualized hosts over a physical network to allow access between a first virtualized guest and a second virtualized guest over the physical network. The independent overlay includes a physical network; a first virtualized host instantiating thereon a first guest; a second virtualized host instantiating thereon a second guest, wherein a first communication port and a second communication port are communicatively connected to constitute a distributed communication element that enables a virtualized network for communication between the first guest and the second guest via the first communication port and the second communication port, respectively; and a media access (MAC) discovery mechanism.