Network Edge Node Multicast Encapsulation for Virtual Network Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack an efficient method for transmitting data using multicast protocols in virtualized data centers, particularly for broadcast and synchronization tasks, as existing encapsulation methods do not effectively cooperate with existing multicast methods to ensure efficient data delivery across isolated virtual networks.
Innovation Solution
The method involves encapsulating a virtual network identifier into a multicast protocol packet by a network edge node and sending it to other edge nodes, allowing for the determination of a corresponding network edge node set, enabling efficient transmission of data through multicast protocols, utilizing protocols like MLD, IGMP, and PIM, and supporting identifiers such as VxLAN and NVGRE.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data is transmitted through unicast tunnel after encapsulation, then data delivery is possible, but transmission efficiency deteriorates for broadcast and multicast scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a multicast group as an intermediary mechanism between virtual network edge nodes. Instead of direct unicast tunnels for every pair of nodes, edge nodes join a multicast group in the intermediate network, allowing efficient one-to-many data distribution. The multicast protocol acts as a mediator that handles the complexity of multi-node communication while maintaining simple edge node operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution makes the network edge nodes multi-functional by enabling them to both send and receive multicast traffic simultaneously. Each edge node can join the same multicast group, allowing any node to efficiently receive broadcast/multicast data from any other node without requiring dedicated unicast tunnels, thus achieving universal communication capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If virtual networks are isolated and managed separately, then network security and management control are improved, but interconnection and resource sharing between virtual networks deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into virtual network edge nodes that maintain their isolation while participating in a shared multicast group in the intermediate network. Each edge node retains its virtual network identity and security boundaries, but can efficiently communicate with other segmented nodes through the common multicast infrastructure, thus achieving interconnection without sacrificing isolation.
3Productivity
If encapsulation technologies like VxLAN, GRE, or MPLS are used, then virtual network data can be transmitted through intermediate networks, but cooperation with existing multicast methods for efficient data transmission deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the encapsulation technology layer with the multicast protocol layer by integrating virtual network identifier information into multicast protocol packets. This combination allows the intermediate network to simultaneously perform encapsulation functions (identifying virtual networks) and multicast functions (efficient group communication), eliminating the need for separate unicast tunnel mechanisms and achieving both security and efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
An information transmission method and device, comprising: when being connected to a virtual network, a network edge node encapsulates the virtual network identifier of the connected virtual network in a multicast protocol packet; the network edge node sends the multicast protocol packet to network edge nodes other than itself. The information transmission method can implement delivery of a virtual network identifier, thereby implementing highly efficient transmission of virtual network data.