Hypervisor Link State Tracking for Virtual Network Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network function virtualization technologies struggle to detect link state changes of physical network interfaces, which are crucial for making networking decisions, as network software in virtual functions cannot effectively monitor these changes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing link state tracking logic within a hypervisor that receives indications of physical link failures, determines if tracking is enabled, and notifies virtual machines when a connection to the network has failed, ensuring that virtual machines are aware of link state changes and can initiate appropriate actions such as failover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network function virtualization is implemented to share physical network interfaces among multiple virtual instances, then resource utilization is improved, but the ability of virtual network software to detect link state changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces link state tracking logic as an intermediary component within the hypervisor that monitors physical network interface link states and communicates this information to virtual network functions. This mediator bridges the gap between the physical network layer and virtual network software, enabling virtual instances to detect link state changes without direct access to the physical interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where link state tracking logic continuously monitors physical link states and provides real-time notifications to virtual network functions when link state changes occur. This feedback loop enables virtual network software to respond to link state changes despite the abstraction layer introduced by virtualization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If virtual switches are instantiated in a hypervisor to enable sharing of physical network interfaces, then network virtualization capability is improved, but link state awareness in virtual functions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Link state tracking logic serves as an intermediary that captures link state information from the physical network interface layer and transmits this information through the hypervisor to virtual network functions. This intermediary prevents information loss by explicitly bridging the information gap created by virtualization abstraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the link state monitoring function into a separate component (link state tracking logic) within the hypervisor, distinct from both the physical network interface drivers and the virtual network functions. This segmentation allows dedicated tracking and propagation of link state information without interfering with the virtualization switching functionality.
3Ease of operation
If network software in virtual functions cannot detect link state changes, then virtualization simplicity is improved, but network decision-making capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The link state tracking logic operates autonomously within the hypervisor, self-monitoring physical link states and automatically notifying virtual network functions of changes. This self-service approach maintains virtualization simplicity by not requiring complex integration between virtual functions and physical interface drivers, while still enabling network decision-making capability through automated information propagation.
Data Source
AI summary
Presented herein are methodologies for tracking a link state of a physical network connection and selectively reporting the link state to virtual machines that rely on the physical network connection. A method includes receiving an indication, at a hypervisor, which is running on a host computer and which instantiates a virtual switch, that a physical link interconnecting the host computer to a network has failed; determining that the physical link serves the virtual switch; determining whether link state tracking is enabled for the physical link; and when link state tracking is enabled for the physical link, notifying a virtual machine, which is running on the host computer and which is being served by the virtual switch, that a connection between the virtual machine and the network has failed.