Multi-Cluster Management Communication Framework Using Segmented Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-cluster management systems face challenges with unstable network connections leading to packet loss and high volumes of status information, affecting the reliability and scalability of communication between the management system and clusters.

Innovation Solution

A framework with two independent communication channels: the intent channel for robust delivery of control information and the data sync channel for efficient status information collection, using intent objects and streaming data platforms to handle network instability and large data volumes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single communication channel is used for both control information delivery and status information collection, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to packet loss and network instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication interface complexityVSAvoidcontrol information delivery reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The communication interface is segmented into two independent channels: an intent channel for delivering control information and a data sync channel for collecting status information. This segmentation allows each channel to be optimized for its specific purpose, with the intent channel ensuring reliable delivery through acknowledgment mechanisms while the data sync channel handles high-volume status data efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If network connections are made more stable to prevent packet loss, then reliability improves, but the system cannot scale to handle high volumes of status information from multiple clusters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol information delivery reliabilityVSAvoidstatus information processing capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By separating control information delivery (intent channel) from status information collection (data sync channel), the system can optimize each channel independently. The intent channel uses reliable delivery mechanisms for control commands, while the data sync channel is optimized for high-volume status data streaming from multiple clusters, enabling both reliability and scalability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary data sync mechanism that collects status information from multiple clusters and processes it centrally. This intermediary layer allows the MCM system to handle high volumes of status information from numerous clusters without compromising the reliability of control information delivery to individual clusters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the MCM system processes high volumes of status information from multiple clusters, then productivity improves, but network connection stability deteriorates due to increased data volume

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatus information processing capacityVSAvoidnetwork connection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If a centralized communication approach is used to simplify management, then device complexity is reduced, but scalability deteriorates when managing large numbers of clusters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication interface complexityVSAvoidsystem scalability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The data sync channel is designed with universal functionality to handle status information from any number of clusters simultaneously. The streaming data platform can ingest data from multiple clusters and route it to appropriate processing components, enabling the system to scale horizontally while maintaining a relatively simple centralized architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12182632B2Communications framework for multi-cluster management systems

Publication Date: 2024.12.31 VMWARE INC

AI summary

A framework for facilitating communication between a multi-cluster management (MCM) system and the clusters managed by the system is provided. According to one set of embodiments, the framework comprises two independent, unidirectional communications channels: a first channel (i.e., “intent channel”) that flows from the MCM system to each cluster, and a second channel (i.e., “data sync channel”) that flows from each cluster to the MCM system. Through the intent channel, the MCM system can deliver control information to each cluster for actuating management changes/operations therein in a manner that is robust against network dropouts and packet loss. Through the data sync channel, the MCM system can collect and process status information from each cluster (such as, e.g., object state transitions triggered by the control information sent via the intent channel) in a manner that can efficiently scale to support large numbers of clusters.