Multi-Cluster Ingress Routing for Geo-Aware Container Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current container-orchestration systems typically offer Layer 7 load balancing only within a single cluster, requiring separate load balancers and configurations for each cluster, which limits the ability to efficiently distribute traffic across multiple geographically distributed clusters.
Innovation Solution
A multi-cluster load balancer that routes application level requests to the nearest geographically located cluster based on client location and load balancing attributes, using a unified configuration to manage access to multiple destination clusters, and implements network endpoint groups for direct traffic distribution to pods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate load balancers are used for each cluster, then each cluster can be managed independently, but the system complexity increases and traffic distribution efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cluster load balancers into a single multi-cluster load balancer that manages traffic distribution across multiple geographically distributed clusters. This unified load balancer consolidates what would otherwise require separate load balancer instances, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to independently manage each cluster through configurable routing rules and geo-based policies.
2Productivity
If traffic is routed to nearest cluster, then latency decreases and throughput improves, but the load balancing configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements geo-based routing policies that automatically change routing parameters based on client geographical location. Instead of static routing configurations, the system dynamically adjusts destination cluster selection based on real-time geo data, enabling optimal latency performance while abstracting the complexity of manual routing configuration through automated geo-aware load balancing decisions.
3Device complexity
If a single unified load balancer manages multiple clusters, then system complexity decreases, but the ability to perform local load balancing within each cluster is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-cluster load balancer is designed with universal functionality that encompasses both inter-cluster traffic distribution and intra-cluster load balancing. It performs multiple functions including geo-based cluster selection, health checking across clusters, and coordination with individual cluster load balancers to maintain local load balancing capabilities. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated load balancers while preserving all necessary load balancing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for load balancing application requests across a multi-cluster container orchestration system includes receiving a load-balancing configuration for a multi-cluster service managing access to a set of destination clusters hosting a software application deployed by a user. The multi-cluster service uses the load-balancing configuration to load balance application level traffic across the set of destination clusters. Each destination cluster includes at least one container executing the software application and a respective geographical region. The method also includes receiving an application level request directed toward the software application hosted across the destination clusters. The application level request is received from a client and includes a host name and a geographical location associated with the client. The method also includes routing the request to one of the clusters based on the geographical location of the request and the respective geographical locations of the clusters.