Gateway Load Balancer for Transparent NVA Insertion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cloud computing systems face inefficiencies, inaccuracies, and inflexibility in network service chaining and network virtual appliances, requiring significant architectural changes, manual reconfigurations, and leading to bottlenecks, single points of failure, and inadequate feature offerings.
Innovation Solution
The transparent network virtual appliance system dynamically and seamlessly inserts network virtual appliances into cloud computing systems using a gateway load balancer to intercept and process data packets, allowing separate paths for incoming and outgoing traffic without disrupting existing architecture, enabling flexible and efficient addition of multiple NVAs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network virtual appliances are inserted into current cloud computing systems using traditional methods, then network traffic can be processed by NVAs, but significant architectural changes and manual reconfigurations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway load balancer as an intermediary component that sits between the public load balancer and backend services. This gateway load balancer transparently intercepts network traffic and redirects it to network virtual appliances without requiring changes to the existing cloud computing architecture or manual reconfiguration of DNS records and routing tables, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable traffic processing and architectural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing network virtual appliances to be dynamically inserted and configured through automated processes rather than manual intervention. The gateway load balancer automatically manages traffic redirection and NVA deployment, eliminating the need for user-defined network architecture changes and manual address reconfigurations
2Ease of operation
If network virtual appliances are inserted into cloud computing systems, then traffic flow can be controlled, but inaccuracies occur due to complexities of rerouting traffic flows
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway load balancer acts as an intermediary that handles all the complex traffic routing logic internally. It receives traffic from the public load balancer, intelligently redirects it to appropriate network virtual appliances based on configured rules, and forwards processed traffic back to backend services. This intermediary approach provides easy traffic flow control through centralized configuration while maintaining high routing accuracy by eliminating manual routing rule creation and reducing human error
3Adaptability or versatility
If network virtual appliances are inserted into cloud computing systems, then network services can be enhanced, but system downtime increases due to slow DNS updates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service capabilities by enabling dynamic insertion and configuration of network virtual appliances through automated processes. The gateway load balancer automatically updates its internal routing tables and traffic redirection rules when new NVAs are deployed, eliminating the need for slow DNS record updates. This allows network services to be enhanced in real-time without causing system downtime or requiring manual DNS management
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway load balancer performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring internal routing rules and traffic redirection paths before network virtual appliances are fully deployed. This preliminary setup ensures that traffic can be immediately redirected to new NVAs without waiting for DNS propagation, thereby preventing system downtime and enabling seamless service enhancement
4Productivity
If network virtual appliances are inserted into cloud computing systems, then traffic processing capability is improved, but computational expense increases due to updates across subnetworks
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway load balancer serves as a centralized intermediary that manages all traffic redirection logic in one location. When network virtual appliances are added or configured, updates are performed only at the gateway load balancer rather than propagating changes across all subnetworks and devices. This intermediary approach maintains high traffic processing capability through centralized control while significantly reducing computational expense by eliminating widespread network updates
5Reliability
If network virtual appliances are directly coupled with backend services, then services can be protected, but flexibility is reduced and single points of failure are created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network architecture by introducing a gateway load balancer layer that separates network virtual appliances from backend services. This segmentation allows NVAs to be deployed independently and configured flexibly without being tightly coupled to specific services. The gateway load balancer acts as a decoupling layer that distributes traffic to multiple NVAs, eliminating single points of failure and enabling high availability through load distribution across multiple protective appliances
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and computer-readable media for facilitating the transparent insertion of network virtual appliances into a cloud computing system. For example, a transparent network virtual appliance system can dynamically, seamlessly, and quickly add one or more network virtual appliances utilizing a chained gateway load balancer. In particular, the transparent network virtual appliance system can provide additional services to an application virtual network within a cloud computing system without disrupting or modifying the existing architecture of the cloud computing system.