Dynamic IP Advertisement in L3 Storage Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current distributed, scale-out storage systems operating on L3 networks face limitations in endpoint IP address management, where addresses are either statically defined, dynamically defined within a single rack, or require costly L2 overlays to avoid failure modes, hindering communication efficiency and resilience.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that advertise dynamic storage endpoints and control endpoints using a dynamic routing protocol within an L3 network, allowing IP addresses to be dynamically updated and re-advertised across the network, enabling efficient and resilient communication by adjusting route tables and avoiding the need for costly L2 overlays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If endpoint IP addresses are statically defined, then network configuration is simple and stable, but communication efficiency cannot be optimized and system adaptability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic IP address assignment and advertisement mechanisms where endpoint IP addresses can be dynamically allocated, advertised, and re-advertised based on network conditions and failure scenarios. This allows the system to transition from static to dynamic configuration, enabling optimization of communication efficiency while maintaining operational stability through automated management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the state of IP address configuration from static to dynamic by implementing advertisement protocols that allow IP addresses to be proclaimed and re-proclaimed. This parameter change enables the network to adapt to different conditions (failure scenarios, efficiency optimizations) while maintaining configuration stability through automated processes.
2Ease of manufacture
If endpoint IP addresses are dynamic within a single rack, then deployment is simplified, but communication efficiency is limited and failure resilience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the scope of IP address advertisement from a single rack (one-dimensional constraint) to the entire L3 network (multi-dimensional expansion). By allowing endpoints to advertise their IP addresses across the broader L3 network topology, the system achieves improved communication efficiency and failure resilience while maintaining deployment simplicity through standardized advertisement protocols.
3Reliability
If L2 overlay is implemented to avoid common failure modes, then failure resilience is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the failure resilience functionality from the complex L2 overlay architecture and implements it directly within the L3 network using native L3 routing and IP address advertisement mechanisms. This eliminates the need for additional overlay layers while maintaining the ability to avoid common failure modes through dynamic IP advertisement and route table adjustment.
4Productivity
If IP addresses are dynamically re-advertised across L3 network, then communication efficiency and resilience are improved, but routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where endpoints automatically advertise their own IP addresses to the L3 network using standardized protocols. This self-advertisement approach eliminates the need for centralized routing management, allowing the network to dynamically optimize communication paths without increasing operational complexity. The system manages itself through automated advertisement and route table updates.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a system and method that improves efficiency and resilience of the communications between clients and nodes, and between the nodes of a distributed, scale-out storage system by participating in the topology of an L3 network. The present disclosure relates to a device in a network. The receiving module is configured to receive information associated with the storage endpoints advertised by nodes of the network, wherein the information is an IP address associated with the storage endpoints or removal and/or updation of the IP address of the storage endpoints. The update module is configured to summarize or re-advertise the information received from the one or more nodes, and advertise the summarized or re-advertised information to all nodes of the network to be utilized by the one or more nodes to achieve communication between the node and the storage endpoint based on the summarized or re-advertised information.