Dynamic MAC Address Pool Management for Virtualized Infrastructure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional virtualized infrastructure management systems are limited in their ability to flexibly manage MAC addresses, as they allocate a fixed number of unique MAC addresses per MAC allocation module, leading to inefficiencies in resource allocation and management, especially during VM provisioning and migration.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves defining and dynamically adjusting MAC address pools across multiple virtual machine management centers, using a messaging system to notify centers of address usage and availability, allowing for programmatic contraction and expansion of address ranges to optimize address allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed number of unique MAC addresses is allocated per MAC allocation module, then the allocation process is simple and deterministic, but the system loses flexibility and efficiency in resource allocation during VM provisioning and migration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in MAC address managementVSAvoidcomplexity of MAC address pool management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic MAC address pool management where each MAC allocation module can programmatically expand or contract its assigned address range based on actual demand. This allows the system to adapt from a static fixed allocation to a dynamic flexible allocation model, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and flexibility by introducing controlled complexity only where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the total MAC address space into separate pools managed by different MAC allocation modules. Each module independently manages its own pool and can adjust its boundaries, enabling flexible resource allocation while maintaining manageable complexity through modular segmentation of the address space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If MAC address pools are dynamically adjusted across multiple management centers, then address availability increases and resource allocation improves, but the system complexity and coordination requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of resource allocationVSAvoidcomplexity of coordination between management centers

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where MAC allocation modules notify other modules of MAC address usage and availability. This feedback loop enables efficient resource allocation by allowing modules to dynamically adjust their pools based on real-time demand information, improving productivity while managing coordination complexity through standardized notification protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a messaging system as an intermediary that facilitates communication and coordination between multiple MAC allocation modules. This intermediary handles the complexity of inter-module coordination, allowing efficient resource sharing while isolating the complexity from individual modules through a standardized communication interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the first MAC address range is contracted and the second MAC address range is expanded, then address distribution becomes more flexible, but the coordination and notification overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in address range adjustmentVSAvoidtime for coordination and notification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary actions where MAC allocation modules proactively notify other modules of address range changes before they are needed. By announcing pool expansions or contractions in advance, the system reduces coordination time and enables faster resource allocation decisions, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10686756B2Method and apparatus for managing MAC address generation for virtualized environments

Publication Date: 2020.06.16 VMWARE INC

AI summary

MAC addresses are flexibly and dynamically allocated across groups of devices that need MAC addresses. MAC address pools are defined for the groups by non-overlapping ranges of MAC addresses. The range of MAC addresses defined for any pool may be shrunk to support an expansion of the range of MAC addresses of another pool. The maximum number of universally-administered MAC addresses that can be defined for any MAC address pool is greater than 216, and the maximum number of locally-administered MAC addresses that can be defined for any MAC address pool is greater than 238.