IP Commissioning Server for Dynamic VM Lifecycle Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cloud computing environments, existing IP address management methods, such as DHCP and IPv6 autoconfiguration, are inadequate for dynamic virtual machine lifecycles and multi-tenant scenarios, leading to inefficiencies in IP address allocation and reclamation, and lack of transparency in IP address management and allocation.
Innovation Solution
The Dynamic Network Provisioning Process (DNPP) manages and automates the assignment and release of network blocks, prefixes, and microsegments across orchestrated and SDN-based environments, using a centralized authoritative source to ensure seamless interoperability between traditional and elastic networks, and provides real-time monitoring and management capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If DHCP is used for IP address allocation in cloud environments, then automated IP assignment is achieved, but IP address lease times cannot align with dynamic virtual machine lifecycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an IP commissioning/decommissioning server as an intermediary between the orchestration system and the IP address management infrastructure. This mediator receives commissioning/decommissioning notifications from the orchestration system and manages IP address allocation accordingly, allowing IP lifecycle to align with VM lifecycle despite using DHCP for actual allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the orchestration system send commissioning notifications before VM deployment and decommissioning notifications after VM termination. This allows the IP address management system to pre-allocate and post-release IP addresses in sync with VM lifecycle events, rather than relying solely on DHCP lease mechanisms.
2Stability of the object's composition
If manual IP and name assignment is used in traditional orchestrated environments, then stability is maintained, but scalability becomes a bottleneck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the orchestration system automatically notifies the IP commissioning/decommissioning server of VM lifecycle events. The system then autonomously handles IP address and name assignment without manual intervention, maintaining stability through automated processes while enabling scalability through on-demand provisioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The orchestration system provides feedback to the IP commissioning/decommissioning server by sending notifications about VM creation and termination. This feedback loop enables the IP management system to dynamically adjust IP allocations in response to actual VM lifecycle events, maintaining stability while supporting rapid scaling.
3Ease of operation
If DHCP provides fixed lease times for IP addresses, then simple management is achieved, but impossible to align with dynamic virtual computing environment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics by having the IP commissioning/decommissioning server adjust IP address lease durations based on actual VM lifecycle events rather than using fixed DHCP lease times. When a VM is commissioned, an IP is allocated; when decommissioned, the IP is released. This dynamic approach maintains DHCP management simplicity while adapting to virtual computing environment requirements.
4Quantity of substance
If multiple private networks with overlapping address spaces are deployed in multi-tenant cloud environments, then address space expansion is achieved, but network isolation and routing become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The IP commissioning/decommissioning server acts as an intermediary that manages overlapping private networks in multi-tenant environments. It receives network commissioning/decommissioning notifications from the orchestration system and handles IP address allocation across overlapping address spaces, maintaining isolation and routing correctness despite the complexity of multiple private networks.
Data Source
AI summary
A server computer (DNPS) commissions/decommissions networks provisioned using one or more orchestration solutions (OS) in a client-server architecture. Program code instructions instructing the server computer to implement a user interface (UI) for remote management of the server computer, wherein the user interface provides access to data managed by the server computer and a web-based application programming interface (API) that supports service oriented architecture [“SOA”], and a network management logic (NME) that dynamically assigns and releases networks via the one or more orchestration solutions (OS) and the web-based application programming interface (API). In an alternative implementation, the network management logic cooperates with Software-Defined Networking Controller(s) SDNC to commissions/decommission networks. A physical embodiment may implement either or both of the SOA-based and the SDN-based.