Load Balancer Target Pool Management via Network Resource Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load balancers require manual reconfiguration and periodic monitoring to manage pools of targets, which is inefficient and can lead to inaccurate target status determination, and they often rely on Network Address Translation (NAT) and Direct Server Return (DSR), causing undesirable side-effects.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic method for updating a load balancer's pool of targets, where a network resource controller (NRC) automatically adds or removes targets based on resource availability, without periodic monitoring and without using NAT or DSR, by receiving resource request messages and updating configuration data accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual reconfiguration is used to add or remove targets from the pool, then configuration accuracy is maintained, but operation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The load balancer automatically detects target availability and updates its configuration without manual intervention. When a target becomes available or unavailable, the load balancer self-updates its target pool configuration based on automatic detection, eliminating the need for operators to manually reconfigure the system
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automatic feedback mechanisms where the load balancer continuously monitors target status and uses this feedback to dynamically update its configuration. The detection of target availability triggers automatic configuration updates, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing conditions
2Measurement precision
If periodic monitoring (pinging) is used to detect target status, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical ping-based monitoring system with an alternative detection mechanism that achieves more accurate target status determination. Instead of relying on simple echo requests, the system uses a different approach to detect whether targets are truly available to receive connections
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary detection mechanism between the load balancer and targets that provides more accurate status information. This intermediary system enables the load balancer to determine target availability with higher precision than direct pinging
3Adaptability or versatility
If NAT and DSR are used for load balancing, then traffic distribution capability is maintained, but system adaptability deteriorates due to side-effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the NAT and DSR components from the load balancing system. By eliminating these problematic elements, the system avoids their undesirable side-effects while maintaining core load balancing functionality through alternative mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A load balancing system that utilizes a dynamic method for updating a load balancer's pool of targets (e.g., a dynamic method for adding newly available targets to the pool of targets and/or removing from the pool of targets a target that is no longer accepting new connections). Advantageously, this dynamic method does not require periodic monitoring of each of the targets in the pool of targets.