Host Proxy for DHCP Broadcast Interception in Virtualized Environments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for assigning IP addresses to virtual machines in virtualized environments are resource-intensive, particularly due to broadcast traffic, and often require guest agents or standalone DHCP servers, which are not scalable or efficient in cloud-scale operations.

Innovation Solution

Implementing proxies on host devices to intercept and manage DHCP broadcast messages, converting them to unicast messages, and retrieving DHCP configuration data from local data stores to assign IP addresses without relying on guest agents or standalone DHCP servers, thereby reducing resource consumption and improving scalability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If DHCP broadcast messages are used to assign IP addresses to virtual machines, then IP address assignment can be achieved, but resource consumption increases significantly due to broadcast traffic

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIP address assignment capabilityVSAvoidresource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a proxy as an intermediary component that sits between the virtual machine and the network. The proxy intercepts DHCP broadcast messages from the VM, converts them to unicast messages, and communicates with the DHCP server or local configuration data. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for actual broadcast traffic while maintaining the IP address assignment functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical broadcast communication mechanism with a unicast communication mechanism. Instead of sending broadcast packets that propagate through the network to multiple destinations, the system uses targeted unicast communication between the proxy and the DHCP server or local data store, significantly reducing network traffic and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If standalone DHCP servers are deployed to assign IP addresses, then centralized IP management is achieved, but device complexity and resource overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentralized IP management capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the DHCP server component from the network infrastructure and relocates the DHCP configuration data to local data stores on each host. This extraction eliminates the need for standalone DHCP servers while maintaining the ability to assign IP addresses, thereby reducing system complexity and resource overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables each host to serve its own virtual machines with IP addresses by maintaining local DHCP configuration data. Instead of relying on external DHCP servers, the system allows hosts to autonomously assign IP addresses to their VMs using locally stored configuration information, reducing the need for centralized DHCP infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If guest agents are installed in virtual machines to obtain IP addresses, then IP address assignment can be performed, but the solution becomes less scalable and more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIP address assignment functionalityVSAvoidscalability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a proxy as an intermediary that handles DHCP communication on behalf of the virtual machine. This proxy runs on the host rather than inside the guest VM, eliminating the need for guest agents while maintaining the IP address assignment functionality. The proxy intercepts DHCP messages and manages communication with the DHCP infrastructure or local configuration data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11349806B2Methods, apparatuses and systems for assigning IP addresses in a virtualized environment

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 VMWARE INC

AI summary

Some embodiments use proxies on host devices to capture broadcast DHCP traffic in a network. Each host in some embodiments executes one or more virtual machines (VMs). In some embodiments, a proxy operates on each host between each VM and the underlying network. For instance, in some embodiments, a VM's proxy operates between the VM and a physical forwarding element executing on the VM's host. To suppress DHCP broadcast, the proxy for a particular VM monitors the VM's traffic to detect and intercept a DHCP discover message. When the proxy receives a DHCP discover message, the proxy retrieves DHCP configuration data that was previously stored on the host for the VM. In some embodiments, the DHCP configuration data is stored on the host for the VM during the installation of the VM in response to an administrator's request or as part of an installation script that installs the VM. The DHCP configuration data in some embodiments is stored in one common data store for all the VMs that execute on the host, while in other embodiments, each VM's DHCP configuration data is stored in a DHCP data store that is uniquely maintained for the VM. In some of these latter embodiments, the data in the unique DHCP data store for a VM can easily migrate with the VM when the VM migrates from one host to another host.