Multi-Cluster Container Networking with Global Route Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional container clusters, such as Kubernetes, are limited to intra-cluster communication and fail to facilitate interworking across multiple container clusters, restricting the scalability of network applications.
Innovation Solution
A network communication method and system that utilizes a virtual local area network (VLAN) controller and client to allocate unique network segment resources to each node across multiple container clusters, synchronize and maintain global node route information, and control virtual tunnel encapsulation and decapsulation based on this information, enabling interconnection and interworking between nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional container cluster is used to manage containerized workloads, then rapid deployment and fault self-healing capabilities are implemented, but communication is limited to containers inside a single container cluster only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual switch as an intermediary component that bridges multiple container clusters. The virtual switch receives packets from containers in different clusters, performs address translation and routing, and forwards packets to destination containers. This mediator enables network interworking across cluster boundaries while preserving the isolation and management capabilities of individual clusters.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual switch is designed with multi-functional capabilities to handle diverse networking requirements across multiple container clusters. It performs functions including address translation, route judgment, packet forwarding, and network address management. This universal design allows a single component to serve multiple clusters with different network configurations.
2Productivity
If container clusters are deployed to handle service pressure, then rapid elastic scaling is implemented, but network segment resources overlap between different nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the virtual switch continuously monitors network segment usage across nodes. When a node's network segment is fully allocated, the system receives feedback and automatically allocates additional network segments to that node. This feedback loop enables dynamic resource management that adapts to changing workload demands while preventing resource exhaustion.
Solution Approach 2:
The network segment allocation is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The virtual switch can allocate network segments to nodes on-demand based on actual usage patterns and workload requirements. This dynamic allocation allows the system to scale elastically while automatically managing the complexity of resource distribution across multiple nodes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple container clusters are interconnected to expand network scale, then container network interworking is enabled, but network segment resources overlap between nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual switch serves as a central intermediary that manages network segment allocation across multiple container clusters. It maintains a global view of network segment usage and coordinates allocations to prevent overlaps. When interconnecting clusters, the virtual switch mediates address translation and routing, enabling seamless communication while managing the complexity of resource allocation centrally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual or static network configuration mechanisms with an automated virtual switch system. Instead of manually configuring network segments and routes across multiple clusters, the virtual switch automatically performs address translation, route judgment, and packet forwarding. This substitution of automated software-based mechanics reduces the complexity of managing network resources across interconnected clusters.
Data Source
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AI summary
A corresponding network segment resource is allocated (S201), by interaction between a virtual local area network controller and a virtual local area network client, to each node in the multiple container clusters, where a corresponding virtual local area network client is configured in each node. Node route information synchronized by the virtual local area network client in each node in the multiple container clusters is received (S202), by the virtual local area network controller, and global node route information recorded. The global node route information is obtained (S203), by the virtual local area network client in each node, from the virtual local area network controller, and global node route information locally maintained in the node to which the virtual local area network client belongs is updated. Virtual tunnel encapsulation and decapsulation are controlled (S204), by each node in the multiple container clusters based on the global node route information locally maintained by each node.