Dynamic Port Selection for Overlay Network Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In overlay networks, especially in data centers, packet transmission paths deviate due to hash value calculations based on header information, leading to uneven load distribution and lack of precise flow management, as the same hash values are used for packets between terminating devices, resulting in concentrated flows on certain paths and unknown flow distribution to users.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system with a control device that manages switch devices to dynamically change transmission ports by using load distribution information and statistics to update packet headers, ensuring balanced port usage and precise flow management by instructing switch devices to alter transmission paths based on calculated hash values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a hash value calculated from packet header information is used to select transmission ports, then transmission path consistency is improved, but flow distribution becomes uneven and path deviation occurs in overlay networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the transmission port selection adaptive rather than static. The control device dynamically adjusts port selection based on real-time statistics information about packet transmission patterns, allowing the system to respond to changing network conditions and suppress path deviation in overlay networks while maintaining load balancing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the control device collect statistics information on packet transmissions, analyze this data to identify path deviation patterns, and use this feedback to adjust port selection instructions sent to switch devices, thereby correcting uneven flow distribution while maintaining transmission consistency.
2Ease of manufacture
If the same hash value algorithm is used for all packets between terminating devices, then processing simplicity is maintained, but flow distribution becomes concentrated on certain paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the port selection approach based on packet characteristics and network conditions. Instead of applying a uniform hash algorithm to all packets, the control device selectively adjusts port selection for specific flows based on statistics information, allowing different treatment for different packet types while maintaining simplicity for standard cases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by modifying the port selection criteria based on collected statistics information. The control device analyzes transmission patterns and adjusts the hash value calculation or port mapping parameters dynamically, transforming a static parameter-based approach into a dynamic one that adapts to network conditions to achieve balanced load distribution.
3Stability of the object's composition
If transmission ports are selected based on hash values, then long-term port selection uniformity is improved, but short-term port concentration occurs causing flow deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing continuous collection and analysis of statistics information at regular intervals. The control device periodically updates port selection instructions based on the most recent statistics, allowing the system to maintain long-term uniformity while correcting short-term deviations through periodic adjustments to port allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the port selection system dynamic by enabling real-time adjustment based on current statistics information. This allows the system to adapt to short-term network conditions and suppress flow deviation while maintaining the long-term benefits of hash-based port selection uniformity through dynamic reconfiguration.
4Ease of manufacture
If hash values are calculated using hypervisor-based algorithms, then encapsulation processing is simplified, but flow management visibility and control are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary - the control device - that bridges the hypervisor-based encapsulation processing and flow management functions. The control device collects statistics information from packet transmissions, analyzes flow patterns, and provides visibility into distribution characteristics while the hypervisor continues to handle encapsulation processing, thus resolving the information loss problem without complicating the encapsulation process.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing system includes a switch device including a plurality of ports; and a control device configured to: specify a flow in which a transmission port is to be changed among the plurality of flows, and a transmission port after the change, by referring to load distribution information that associates flow information and port information with each other and statistics information indicating use rates of the ports, and transmit a changing instruction packet including information of the specified flow and the port after the change, for instructing the switch device to change the transmission port to the switch device, wherein the switch device is configured to update information in header information, which each of the series of packets included in the specified flow includes, so as to become information with which the port after the change is selected, when the changing instruction packet is received from the control device.