Federated Virtual Datacenter IP Conflict Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Connecting multiple virtual datacenter instances across different network broadcast domains is challenging due to unshared quotas, networks, and potential IP address conflicts, particularly in OpenStack® environments where IP address assignments are not federated.
Innovation Solution
A system is implemented that provides an overlay network to encapsulate layer 2 messages within layer 3 messages for transmission across broadcast domains, along with an IP address manager to assign IP addresses and prevent conflicts, using technologies like VXLAN and DHCP to enable communication and management across multiple virtual datacenter instances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple virtual datacenter instances are deployed in different network broadcast domains, then resource utilization and scalability are improved, but IP address conflicts and network connectivity issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an overlay network as an intermediary layer between virtual datacenter instances in different broadcast domains. This overlay network encapsulates layer 2 traffic within layer 3 packets, enabling communication across broadcast domain boundaries while maintaining the original layer 2 networking semantics. The overlay network acts as a mediator that resolves the conflict between maintaining isolated broadcast domains and enabling inter-instance communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds an additional networking dimension by implementing an overlay network layer above the existing underlay broadcast domains. Instead of trying to extend layer 2 across multiple broadcast domains (which would cause conflicts), the solution moves to another dimension by encapsulating layer 2 frames within layer 3 IP packets, thereby enabling multi-domain communication while preserving domain isolation.
2Ease of operation
If IP address assignments are managed independently in each virtual datacenter instance, then instance autonomy and management simplicity are improved, but IP address conflicts between instances occur
Solution Approach 1:
The overlay network serves as an intermediary that prevents IP address conflicts while preserving instance autonomy. By encapsulating layer 2 traffic in layer 3 packets with unique outer IP addresses, the overlay network ensures that even if inner IP addresses conflict, the outer envelope addresses remain unique and routable across the federated environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing layer 2 frames (with their original IP addresses) inside layer 3 IP packets (with new overlay IP addresses). This nested structure allows the inner packet to maintain its original addressing scheme for local communication, while the outer packet provides a unique addressing scheme for federation-wide communication, effectively nesting one addressing system within another.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of federated virtual datacenter apparatus are described. In an example, at least two virtual datacenter instances are provided in respective different network broadcast domains and an overlay network encompasses the respective different broadcast domains. An Internet Protocol (IP) address manager assigns IP addresses network devices associated with the plurality of virtual datacenter instances so as to avoid IP address conflicts between virtual datacenter instances.