Inter-Network Service Chaining for Bare Metal and Virtual Workloads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network technologies face challenges in efficiently steering traffic between bare metal servers and virtual execution elements through service chains while maintaining scalability and using IP VPNs.
Innovation Solution
A centralized controller constructs inter-network service chains using Ethernet Virtual Private Network (EVPN) as an underlying transport technology, modifying IP and EVPN routes to steer traffic through service nodes, extending the service chain to bare metal servers and virtual execution elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If IP VPNs are used to maintain scalability, then network scalability is improved, but traffic steering between bare metal servers and virtual execution elements becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces EVPN as an intermediary technology that mediates between IP VPN scalability requirements and service chain traffic steering needs. EVPN provides a control plane that enables centralized routing policies and service chain orchestration while maintaining the scalability benefits of IP VPNs in the data plane.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the networking function into control plane (EVPN) and data plane (IP VPN). The control plane handles complex routing policies and service chain steering, while the data plane maintains simple, scalable IP VPN forwarding. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize for its specific function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If service chains are extended to bare metal servers, then service coverage is improved, but network configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes EVPN a universal control plane that serves multiple functions: IP VPN routing, service chain orchestration, and bare metal server integration. This multi-functionality allows a single control plane to manage diverse workloads (virtual machines and bare metal servers) through unified service chains, reducing overall configuration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
EVPN acts as an intermediary control plane that abstracts the complexity of service chain configuration from individual network devices. The centralized EVPN controller manages service chain policies for both virtual and bare metal workloads, simplifying configuration while extending service coverage.
3Productivity
If centralized control is implemented for service chain construction, then traffic steering efficiency is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The EVPN control system is designed as a universal platform that handles multiple control functions (routing, service chain orchestration, policy management) in a single integrated system. This multi-functionality improves traffic steering efficiency by providing centralized visibility and control while managing complexity through unified architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The EVPN control system implements self-service capabilities through automated service chain construction and configuration. The controller automatically discovers network topology, constructs service chains, and configures forwarding policies without manual intervention, improving efficiency while the automation manages control complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques are described in which a centralized controller constructs a service chain between a bare metal server (BMS) and a virtual execution element (e.g., virtual machine or container), or in some instances a remote BMS, across a plurality of networks. In some examples, the controller may construct a service chain between a BMS and a virtual execution element or remote BMS using Ethernet Virtual Private Network (EVPN) - Virtual Extensible Local Area Network (VXLAN) and Internet Protocol Virtual Private Networks (IP VPNs) such as BGP/Multiprotocol Label Switching (BGP/MPLS) IP VPNs.