Fabric Controller Routing by Application Server Attributes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network systems face challenges in determining the destination location for content distribution between application servers, leading to increased management complexity and network congestion due to the need for external controllers and varied vendor involvement.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a fabric controller within the network fabric that uses application server attributes to determine and manage destination ports, reducing reliance on external supervisors by maintaining mapping information and enabling efficient packet transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate network management point is required to manage virtual application servers, then virtual application servers can be managed independently, but the management complexity of the network system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the management of virtual application servers into the existing network management infrastructure by enabling fabric controllers to perform both physical and virtual server management functions. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate management points while maintaining independent management capabilities through unified fabric controller intelligence.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric controller is designed with multi-functionality to handle both physical application server management and virtual application server management. This universal approach allows a single management point to perform diverse management tasks, reducing overall system complexity while preserving specialized management capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If application servers are provided by different vendors, then system flexibility and adaptability improve, but managing the network system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric controller serves as an intermediary layer between application servers from different vendors and the network infrastructure. It provides a standardized interface and unified management plane that abstracts vendor-specific complexities, enabling seamless interaction between multi-vendor components while simplifying overall system management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements homogeneous management protocols and interfaces at the fabric controller level, allowing diverse vendor components to interact through standardized mechanisms. This homogenization of management interfaces enables vendor diversity while maintaining manageable complexity through consistent control plane operations.
3Measurement precision
If external controllers are queried to determine destination location, then accurate routing information can be obtained, but network congestion increases due to repeated queries
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric controller pre-computes and caches destination location information based on application server attributes and network topology. By performing routing information preparation in advance and storing it in lookup tables, the system eliminates the need for repeated real-time queries to external controllers, maintaining routing accuracy while reducing network congestion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and maintains local copies of routing information and destination location data within the fabric controller. These cached copies enable rapid lookup and routing decisions without requiring continuous communication with external controllers, thereby preserving routing precision while minimizing network traffic overhead.
4Measurement precision
If destination location determination requires external controller queries, then accurate routing can be achieved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric controller performs preliminary computation of destination locations and stores results in cached lookup structures. When routing decisions are needed, the system retrieves pre-computed information immediately rather than performing time-consuming queries to external controllers, maintaining routing accuracy while dramatically reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains local copies of destination location mappings and routing information within the fabric controller's memory. This local caching enables instantaneous retrieval of routing data without external communication delays, preserving routing precision while eliminating the time penalty associated with repeated external queries.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments are described herein for systems and methods that can be used to determine a destination location in a network fabric. In one example embodiment, the method comprises receiving an application server attribute at a fabric controller from a source port, generating at the fabric controller a destination location based on the application server attribute and mapping information stored on the fabric controller, and transmitting the destination location to the source port, where the source port transmits packetized data to a destination location based on the destination location.