Gateway Dual IP Stack for Hitless Data Center Protocol Migration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Transitioning network devices between different communication protocols, such as IPv4 and IPv6, often results in disruptions and loss of network traffic due to the need to shut down existing tunnels and establish new ones, making it challenging to migrate data centers without service interruptions.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a dual IP stack mode for gateway devices that allows them to process traffic formatted according to both the old and new communication protocols, enabling the establishment of network tunnels and route modifications to facilitate seamless migration while maintaining continuous network traffic flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network devices are transitioned between different communication protocols, then protocol migration is achieved, but network traffic disruption and loss occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol migration capabilityVSAvoidnetwork traffic continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing new network tunnels using the second communication protocol before shutting down existing tunnels using the first communication protocol. This ensures that alternative communication paths are ready in advance, preventing traffic disruption during the protocol transition process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary mechanism by maintaining multiple communication protocols simultaneously during the transition period. Gateway devices can process and forward traffic through both first and second protocol tunnels, acting as a mediator that ensures continuous connectivity while protocol migration occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing tunnels are shut down and new ones established during protocol transition, then protocol update is achieved, but service interruption occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol version updateVSAvoidservice interruption time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring that network traffic flow continues uninterrupted during protocol transition. Gateway devices process and forward traffic through both old and new protocol tunnels simultaneously, eliminating service interruption that would normally occur during tunnel reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

New tunnels using the updated protocol are established in advance before old tunnels are shut down. This preliminary setup ensures that when the transition occurs, traffic can immediately flow through the new tunnels without interruption, minimizing service interruption duration to effectively zero.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If network devices are migrated at different times, then gradual migration is achieved, but traffic loss occurs during transition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestaggered migration capabilityVSAvoidoverlay network traffic integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Gateway devices are designed with multi-functionality to process and forward traffic through both first and second communication protocols simultaneously. This universal capability allows different network devices to be migrated at different times while maintaining traffic integrity, as the gateway can adapt to whichever protocol the connected devices are using.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway device acts as an intermediary that bridges devices at different migration stages. It receives traffic from devices using the first protocol, translates or forwards it through appropriate tunnels, and delivers it to devices using the second protocol, ensuring no traffic loss occurs during staggered migration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11909630B1Hitless migration of interconnected data center networks for network virtualization overlay using gateways

Publication Date: 2024.02.20 ARISTA NETWORKS INC

AI summary

Hitless migration of network devices for communication between two data centers using a dual IP stack mode is provided herein. In a first data center, a first gateway receives first routing information from an edge device regarding a first set of routes associated with a first host device in the first data center. The first gateway device generates a second set of routes that include a first address of the edge device formatted according to a first communication protocol. The second set of routes is exported to a second gateway device in a second data center. The first gateway device receives an encapsulated data packet having a first overlay that includes the first address from the second gateway device. The first gateway device decapsulates and re-encapsulates the data packet and a re-encapsulated data packet is sent to the edge device, the re-encapsulated data packet having a second overlay that includes the second address. The first address is formatted according to a first communication protocol and the second address is formatted according to a second communication protocol.