Multi-path Virtual Switch Ingress Traffic Steering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing virtual switch technologies face limitations in switching throughput and availability due to sequential packet processing and reliance on single data paths, which can lead to bottlenecks and reduced scalability in converged virtual networks.

Innovation Solution

A virtual switch with an ingress traffic steering manager that classifies packets and selectively routes them across multiple data paths, utilizing distribution rules to optimize packet forwarding across separate data planes, ensuring concurrent processing and dynamic load balancing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If sequential packet processing is used in a fixed data plane, then device complexity is reduced, but switching throughput decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitching throughputVSAvoiddata plane structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the data plane into multiple separate data paths (first data path, second data path, etc.), each capable of independent packet processing. The ingress traffic steering manager divides incoming packet streams and distributes them to different data paths concurrently, enabling parallel processing and significantly increasing switching throughput while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a single data path is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases when the data path breaks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata path availabilityVSAvoiddata plane structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements beforehand cushioning by providing multiple separate data paths as backup alternatives before any failure occurs. When a data path break is detected, the ingress traffic steering manager automatically redistributes packets to available data paths, ensuring continued operation and high reliability without requiring complex manual intervention or system reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If multiple data planes are provided with separate virtual switch instances, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket forwarding availabilityVSAvoidvirtual switch architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple data paths under a single virtual switch instance, eliminating the need for separate virtual switch instances while maintaining reliability. The ingress traffic steering manager coordinates packet distribution across all data paths centrally, reducing architectural complexity and resource overhead compared to having multiple independent virtual switch instances, while still providing failover capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10523598B2Multi-path virtual switching

Publication Date: 2019.12.31 FUTUREWEI TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A virtual switch for packet switching includes an ingress traffic steering manager executing on circuitry and coupled to receive packets from multiple virtual machines or containers, multiple data plane providers, each data plane provider having a data path coupled to selectively receive the packets from the ingress traffic steering manager, and wherein the ingress traffic steering manager classifies the received packets and selects available data paths based on the classification of the packets and a set of distribution rules.