Dynamic Customer VLAN Identifiers in Telecommunications Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional telecommunications networks require separate connections and dedicated network resources for each virtual resource in a cloud environment, leading to inefficient use of bandwidth and resources, as well as increased costs due to underutilization of network capacity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that associates Customer Edge Virtual Local Area Network (CE-VLAN) identifiers with Ethernet Virtual Connections (EVCs) to enable communication between a customer network and multiple virtual resources of a cloud environment over a single connection, using Service Provider Virtual Local Area Network (SP-VLAN) identifiers for routing packets through an intermediate network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate connections are established for each virtual resource in a cloud environment, then resource identification and routing are simplified, but network bandwidth utilization becomes inefficient and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate virtual resource connections into a single shared network connection. Multiple virtual resources (VPCs, VNETs, subnets) are multiplexed over one physical connection using VLAN tagging, where each packet is tagged with its destination resource identifier. This merging approach improves bandwidth utilization by allowing simultaneous transmission to multiple resources while maintaining logical separation through tags.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces VLAN tags as intermediary identifiers that mediate between the single shared connection and multiple virtual resources. These tags act as intermediaries that carry resource identification information through the network, enabling the network infrastructure to route packets to the correct virtual resource without requiring separate dedicated connections for each resource.
2Reliability
If dedicated network resources are allocated for each virtual resource, then network performance and reliability are improved, but resource allocation efficiency decreases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single network connection universal by enabling it to serve multiple virtual resources simultaneously. The shared connection can dynamically handle traffic for different virtual resources based on the VLAN tags present in incoming packets. This multi-functionality allows the same physical infrastructure to support multiple logical connections, improving resource allocation efficiency while maintaining network performance through proper tagging and routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where a single connection can adaptively serve different virtual resources based on real-time traffic demands. Instead of static dedicated allocations, the system dynamically assigns connection capacity to different virtual resources as needed, allowing the network to respond flexibly to varying workload requirements while maintaining reliable performance for each resource.
3Reliability
If multiple connections are maintained for different virtual resources, then traffic isolation and security are improved, but network complexity and management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new dimension to network identification by introducing VLAN tags as an additional layer of information in the packet header. Instead of requiring separate physical connections for isolation, the system uses this additional dimensional layer (the tag field) to provide logical separation and routing information. This allows traffic isolation to be achieved through data plane markings rather than separate physical paths, reducing network complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transmitting data over networks includes associating Customer Edge Virtual Local Area Network (CE-VLAN) identifiers with an Ethernet Virtual Connection (EVC). Each of the CE-VLAN identifiers is assigned to a respective Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) of a cloud computing environment and the EVC extends between a first network and the cloud computing environment through a second network. The EVC is also configured to transmit packets including any of the CE-VLAN identifiers to the cloud computing environment. The method further includes transmitting a packet received from the first network and including one of the CE-VLAN identifiers to the cloud computing environment using the EVC.