Receive Load Balancing via MAC Address Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior load balancing solutions do not allow for end-to-end load balancing in network communications because they use a single MAC address as an endpoint identifier, resulting in all frames being received on the same network adapter, limiting the ability to distribute incoming traffic across multiple network adapters in a team configuration.
Innovation Solution
Implementing load balancing logic that replaces the destination MAC address in network communications with multiple MAC addresses assigned to individual network adapters within a team, allowing frames to be received on multiple ports and achieving receive load balancing by associating multiple MAC addresses with a single protocol address.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single MAC address is used as endpoint identifier in network communications, then network communication simplicity is maintained, but receive load balancing across multiple network adapters cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single MAC address identifier into multiple MAC addresses, each associated with individual network adapters within a team. The load balancing logic distributes incoming frames across multiple MAC addresses based on stored associations, enabling receive load balancing while maintaining transparent communication for external devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The load balancing logic acts as an intermediary between the network team and individual network adapters. It intercepts incoming frames, determines the appropriate network adapter based on destination MAC address matching, and redirects frames accordingly, enabling load distribution without requiring changes to external communication protocols.
2Stability of the object's composition
If all network communications are received on the same network adapter, then ARP table entry consistency is maintained, but traffic distribution across multiple network adapters is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic MAC address selection at the network adapter team level. Instead of a static single MAC address, the system dynamically selects from multiple MAC addresses associated with different network adapters in the team, allowing traffic distribution while maintaining ARP consistency through the team's virtual MAC address.
3Productivity
If multiple MAC addresses are associated with a single protocol address, then receive load balancing is enabled, but network adapter team complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load balancing logic automatically manages the association between multiple MAC addresses and network adapters without requiring manual configuration. The system self-configures by storing associations between MAC addresses and their corresponding network adapters, enabling load balancing while minimizing configuration complexity for users.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with network load balancing are described. One exemplary system embodiment includes a load balancing logic configured to cause different portions of network traffic to be transmitted from a transmitting node to different network adapters in a receiving node to cause the network traffic to be receive load balanced.