Heterogeneous Switching Domain Integration via Border Gateway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network technologies face challenges in integrating virtual and physical switching components due to their dynamic nature and diverse topologies, leading to difficulties in maintaining performance, energy savings, and efficiency in complex network environments.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that attach an enhanced header to packets from virtual machines, containing domain information such as ingress and egress ports, processing instructions, filtering options, traffic paths, and energy control policies, to enable seamless integration and processing of packets across both virtual and physical switching devices within a heterogeneous switching domain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If virtual and physical switching devices are integrated into a heterogeneous switching domain, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a border gateway device as an intermediary between the virtual switching domain and physical switching domain. This border gateway translates and forwards packets between heterogeneous switching domains, enabling integration without requiring direct complex interactions between virtual and physical switches. The border gateway acts as a mediator that handles the complexity of heterogeneous integration while maintaining simplicity in individual domains.
2Productivity
If heterogeneous switching devices are managed individually, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple heterogeneous switching domains (virtual and physical) into a unified heterogeneous switching domain. By combining these domains under a single network, the patent enables centralized management and optimization of network resources, improving overall productivity. The border gateway facilitates this merging by enabling seamless packet forwarding between previously separate domains, allowing administrators to manage the entire heterogeneous environment as a single entity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If virtual switches are deployed on complex and dynamically changing topologies, then adaptability is improved, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements prior cushioning by establishing a stable border gateway device that pre-prepares for topology changes in the virtual switching domain. The border gateway maintains stable routing and forwarding capabilities even when virtual switch topologies dynamically change. This beforehand cushioning mechanism ensures that reliability is maintained at the boundary interface, compensating for the inherent instability of dynamically changing virtual topologies.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of integrating virtual (250) and physical (110,130) network switching components into a heterogeneous switching domain (410) is provided. Such method including, attaching, by a switching device (250), a header to a packet received from a virtual machine (240), the header including domain information, and processing the packet by the switching device (250), the processing being controlled by the header. Finally, the packet is forwarded, the forwarding being controlled by the header.