Logical Router Dynamic Routing Control Plane Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing logical networks in datacenters face challenges in implementing effective dynamic routing protocols for logical routers that interface with external networks, particularly in managing multiple interfaces and ensuring seamless route exchange and failover mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a logical router is implemented with multiple interfaces on separate gateway host machines, each operating as a component that advertises routes and receives dynamic routing protocol information, with a selected gateway host machine acting as a master control plane for route calculation and failover, allowing for centralized and distributed management of routing components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple gateway host machines implement interfaces for a logical router, then routing redundancy and resilience are improved, but duplicative processing of dynamic routing protocol packets increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the routing control plane by designating one gateway host machine as the master control plane and others as backup control planes. This segmentation allows the master to handle dynamic routing protocol packet processing centrally, while backups remain idle until needed, eliminating duplicative processing while maintaining routing redundancy through the segmented control plane architecture.
2Productivity
If a single master control plane is designated for route calculation, then processing efficiency is improved, but system vulnerability to single point of failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by pre-configuring backup control planes that can take over if the master control plane fails. The backup control planes are prepared in advance with the capability to assume the master role, providing a safety cushion against single point of failure while allowing the master to operate efficiently without needing redundant processing capabilities.
3Stability of the object's composition
If dynamic routing protocol packets are processed by all gateway host machines, then routing information consistency is improved, but network overhead and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the master control plane acts as a central mediator that receives, processes, and distributes dynamic routing protocol information to all gateway host machines. This intermediary approach ensures routing information consistency across all machines while avoiding the complexity and processing load of having each machine independently process all routing packets.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide a method for configuring a logical router that interfaces with an external network. The method receives a configuration for a logical network that includes a logical router with several interfaces that connect to at least one physical router external to the logical network. The method selects a separate host machine to host a centralized routing component for each of the interfaces. The method selects a particular one of the host machines for operating a dynamic routing protocol control plane that receives routing protocol data from each of the centralized routing components and updates routing tables of each of the centralized routing components.