Hypervisor Dynamic Routing for Virtual Appliances

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional network appliances require manual reconfiguration to modify the routing of data packets, which is inefficient and resource-intensive, especially in complex network setups with multiple appliances.

Innovation Solution

A hypervisor manages virtual machines and virtual appliances, dynamically determining and adjusting the routing of data packets based on conditions like bandwidth, latency, and load, using a routing scheme manager and shared memory to route data packets through a sequence of virtual appliances without interrupting communications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network appliances are arranged in a traditional chain configuration, then data packets can be routed through multiple appliances for processing, but manual reconfiguration is required to modify the routing, which is inefficient and resource-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting scheme modification capabilityVSAvoidmanual reconfiguration effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic routing schemes where the hypervisor automatically determines and adjusts the routing of data packets through virtual appliances based on current conditions such as bandwidth availability, latency, and load. This eliminates the need for manual reconfiguration while maintaining adaptability to changing network conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors network conditions and appliance performance metrics, using this feedback to automatically adjust routing decisions. The hypervisor evaluates real-time data about bandwidth, latency, and load to dynamically optimize the routing scheme without requiring administrator intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If multiple network appliances are used to perform specific tasks on data packets, then network security and optimization are improved, but the complexity of managing and reconfiguring these appliances increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork security and optimizationVSAvoidappliance management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hypervisor serves as a universal control mechanism that manages multiple virtual appliances with different functions (firewall, WAN optimizer, etc.). It provides a unified interface for routing decisions, reducing the complexity of managing individual appliances while maintaining their specialized security and optimization functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The hypervisor acts as an intermediary between data packets and virtual appliances, centralizing the management complexity. Instead of directly managing each appliance's configuration, the hypervisor mediates routing decisions based on monitored conditions, simplifying the overall system management while preserving the functional capabilities of individual appliances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If manual reconfiguration of network appliances is performed to adjust routing, then routing accuracy can be optimized, but time consumption and resource utilization increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting optimization accuracyVSAvoidreconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary monitoring of network conditions and appliance performance metrics continuously, so that when routing optimization is needed, the hypervisor already has the necessary information to make accurate decisions immediately, eliminating reconfiguration delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The hypervisor automatically performs routing optimization based on monitored conditions without requiring administrator intervention. The system serves itself by continuously evaluating bandwidth, latency, and load metrics and autonomously adjusting routing schemes to maintain optimal performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9363172B2Managing a configurable routing scheme for virtual appliances

Publication Date: 2016.06.07 RED HAT ISRAEL

AI summary

A computing device determines a routing scheme that identifies a plurality of virtual appliances to route data packets through and an order in which to perform the routing. The computing device receives a data packet from a client. The computing device routes the data packet to the plurality of virtual appliances in accordance with the routing scheme, wherein each of the plurality of virtual appliances performs one or more operations on the data packet. The computing device sends the data packet to the virtual machine after the plurality of virtual appliances have completed the one or more operations on the data packet.