Configuring Logical Router Uplink Ports on Managed Hardware Switches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Software-Defined Networking (SDN) technologies face challenges in extending virtual networks to physical networks through hardware switches, particularly in configuring logical routers on managed hardware forwarding elements (MHFEs) to enable seamless communication between physical and virtual machines across different networks.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a control plane configures and manages logical networks by defining routing components, assigning IP and MAC addresses, and using open source protocols like OVSDB to propagate database tables on MHFEs, enabling logical routing functionalities and tunnel endpoint locator tables to establish communication between MHFEs and MFEs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hardware switches are used to extend virtual networks to physical networks, then network connectivity is improved, but configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control plane as an intermediary component that manages the configuration of hardware switches. The control plane receives virtual network definitions, translates them into hardware-specific configuration commands, and propagates these configurations to the hardware switches through a database schema (OVSDB). This mediator approach allows the hardware switches to remain simple while enabling complex virtual network extensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the routing functionality into separate routing components (distributed router and service routers) that can be independently configured and managed. Each routing component has separate routes and logical interfaces, allowing granular control and simplifying the overall configuration process by dividing the complex routing task into manageable segments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple routing components are defined for a logical router, then routing functionality is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the routing functionality into separate routing components (distributed router and service routers), each with independent routes and logical interfaces. This segmentation allows the system to achieve complex routing capabilities while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design, where each component can be configured and managed independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The control plane serves multiple functions: it receives virtual network definitions, translates them into hardware configurations, manages multiple routing components, and propagates configurations through the database schema. This multi-functionality consolidates complexity into a single control plane rather than distributing it across multiple components.
3Productivity
If logical interfaces are assigned IP and MAC addresses, then network communication is improved, but configuration management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control plane performs preliminary configuration actions by pre-assigning IP and MAC addresses to logical interfaces before the hardware switches need to operate. The control plane receives the complete virtual network definition with all interface configurations already specified, translates this into hardware configurations, and propagates the settings in advance, eliminating the need for runtime configuration management.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for configuring an edge MHFE for a logical network to communicate with other networks is described. The method receives data for the logical network that defines a logical router and a set of logical switches for logically connecting several end machines that operate on different host machines. The method, based on the received logical network data, identifies a physical port of the MHFE to bind a logical uplink port of the logical router to the identified physical port. The uplink port is for connecting the logical router to the external network. The method then binds the logical uplink port to the identified physical port by defining an uplink logical switch with a logical port that is associated with the identified physical port and assigning network and data link addresses of the logical uplink port to the logical port of the uplink logical switch.