Flow Management in Server Virtualization via QoS Policy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network virtualization technologies, such as Layer 2 VLAN, face limitations in managing increasing numbers of virtual machines and connecting networks within a single hypervisor, failing to effectively distinguish between network traffic generated by different virtual machines.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for managing flows in a server virtualization environment, including a flow processing unit and a QoS management unit, which analyze and apply Quality of Service (QoS) policies based on virtual machine information, dynamically generating policies to ensure efficient traffic management and support multi-tenant environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Layer 2 VLAN technology is used for network virtualization, then network traffic can be distinguished between virtual machines, but the maximum number of supported virtual machines is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network traffic management into flow-level granularity, dividing the network virtualization problem into manageable flow units that can be individually tracked and controlled. Each flow is identified by five-tuple characteristics, enabling precise traffic distinction without relying on VLAN limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter for traffic differentiation from VLAN IDs (Layer 2) to flow characteristics such as source/destination IP addresses, ports, and protocols (Layer 3-4). This parameter transformation allows support for a significantly larger number of virtual machines by utilizing the extensive address space of IP networking.
2Ease of operation
If traditional network virtualization is used, then network traffic can be managed, but it has difficulty connecting networks between virtual machines within a single hypervisor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network flow manager as an intermediary component that sits between virtual machines and the physical network infrastructure. This mediator analyzes flow characteristics, applies QoS policies, and manages network connectivity, enabling flexible communication between virtual machines within the same hypervisor without traditional network isolation constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to network virtualization by implementing flow-level management atop existing virtualization layers. This dimensional addition creates a hierarchical structure where flows are managed independently of VLAN configurations, enabling enhanced connectivity while maintaining traffic management capabilities.
3Reliability
If flow-level QoS management is implemented, then QoS can be ensured in units of flows, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the network flow manager automatically discovers flows, characterizes their requirements, and applies appropriate QoS policies without manual intervention. The system autonomously monitors flow characteristics and dynamically adjusts resource allocation, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high QoS accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback loops that continuously monitor network flow characteristics, QoS policy effectiveness, and resource utilization. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically adjust and optimize QoS management, reducing complexity by using learned patterns and adaptive control rather than rigid manual configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for managing a flow in a server virtualization environment, and a method of applying a QoS policy, the method including a flow processing unit configured to analyze a flow generated by a virtual machine (VM) to extract flow information, determine whether the flow is a new flow by comparing the extracted flow information with preset flow information, and apply a corresponding Quality of Service (QoS) policy to the flow, and a QoS management unit configured to, in a case in which the flow is a new flow, generate a QoS policy for the analyzed flow based on the extracted flow information and prestored virtual machine information, and transmit the generated QoS policy to the flow processing unit.