Layer 2 Virtual Switch for Multi-Tenant Datacenter Interconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cloud computing systems face challenges in scalability, redundancy, and network configuration management, particularly in multi-tenant datacenters, due to reliance on Layer 3 IP address translations and the limitations of traditional virtualized storage systems in handling overlapping network configurations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multi-tenant datacenter with Layer 2 cloud interconnection using OSI Layer 2 tags to uniquely identify and segregate data traffic, allowing for overlapping network configurations and enabling seamless integration of physical and virtual infrastructure resources across multiple datacenters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Layer 3 IP address translations are used for cloud interconnection, then network routing and address management become standardized, but network configuration complexity increases and scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces Layer 2 virtual switching as an intermediary mechanism between physical networks and virtual machines. The virtual switch operates at Layer 2 to handle MAC address translations and frame forwarding, while Layer 3 IP translations are eliminated. This intermediary approach simplifies network management by maintaining original IP configurations and using MAC address-based routing, reducing the complexity associated with nested IP address translations while preserving network flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional Layer 3 IP-based networking to Layer 2 MAC address-based networking for cloud interconnection. By changing the operational dimension from network layer (Layer 3) to data link layer (Layer 2), the system achieves simplified address management and improved scalability. MAC addresses provide a more direct identification mechanism that eliminates the need for complex IP address translation hierarchies.
2Productivity
If traditional virtualized storage systems are used, then storage resources can be shared across multiple clients, but handling overlapping network configurations becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces virtual switching at Layer 2 as an intermediary that sits between the physical network infrastructure and virtualized storage systems. This virtual switch handles MAC address-based frame forwarding and enables the storage system to communicate with multiple clients using their original IP addresses and network configurations. The Layer 2 virtual switch translates and forwards frames appropriately, allowing storage systems to support overlapping network configurations without conflict.
3Adaptability or versatility
If physical infrastructure resources are extended to cloud systems, then resource scalability improves, but network configuration management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual switching fabric as an intermediary layer between physical infrastructure resources and cloud computing systems. This Layer 2 virtual switch handles the extension of physical networks to virtual machines, maintaining original IP configurations and simplifying network management. The virtual switch manages MAC address translations and frame forwarding, enabling resource scalability without proportionally increasing network configuration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the networking function into distinct layers: Layer 2 virtual switching handles frame forwarding and MAC address management, while Layer 3 IP routing is eliminated in favor of direct MAC-based communication. This segmentation allows physical infrastructure to be extended to cloud systems through the virtual switching layer, which absorbs the configuration management complexity and presents simplified networking to both physical and virtual systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a system and method for a multi-tenant datacenter with layer 2 cloud interconnection and cloud storage. More specifically, the datacenter providing cloud storage, includes a plurality of Client Systems coupled to a first datacenter each Client System having a set of infrastructure resources and an initial networking configuration; and a first cloud computing environment established in the first datacenter, and coupled to the Client Systems by OSI Layer 2 as a data link layer for the transfer of data frames, each frame having a plurality of OSI Layer 2 tags, the first cloud computing environment providing storage resources for allocation to at least two Client Systems, the plurality of OSI Layer 2 tags permitting the at least two Client Systems to have overlapping network configurations. An associated method of providing a multi-tenant datacenter with layer 2 cloud interconnection and cloud storage is also provided.