Multipathing via Overlay VM Tunnels for Network Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current internet routing systems do not consider performance metrics of competing paths, resulting in suboptimal throughput for data communication paths, as they rely on default paths established without evaluating alternative routes that may offer better performance.
Innovation Solution
The method creates virtual network interfaces and overlay virtual machines in datacenters, allowing data traffic to be routed through multiple paths, including tunnels with overlay VMs, which are selected based on performance metrics such as latency and congestion, enabling the use of preferred paths that can significantly improve throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional internet routing systems establish default paths, then network simplicity is maintained, but throughput performance deteriorates due to lack of path optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The network interface is segmented into multiple virtual network interfaces (VNICs), each capable of establishing independent TCP sessions through different paths. This segmentation allows the system to explore multiple routing paths simultaneously while maintaining the simplicity of individual VNIC configurations, thereby improving throughput without proportionally increasing overall network complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of path selection by creating overlay virtual machines in datacenters and establishing tunnels between them. This adds a layer of virtualization above the physical network infrastructure, enabling multiple logical paths through the same physical network without fundamentally altering the underlying routing system's simplicity.
2Productivity
If multiple virtual network interfaces and overlay virtual machines are created for multipathing, then throughput is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The overlay virtual machine infrastructure provides multi-functionality by serving as both a path selection mechanism and a network abstraction layer. The same overlay VM infrastructure can be used for multiple purposes including load balancing, path diversity, and network isolation, thereby improving data connection performance while amortizing the complexity across multiple functions rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each.
Solution Approach 2:
Overlay virtual machines act as intermediaries between the physical network infrastructure and the virtual network interfaces. These intermediary VMs simplify the complexity by providing a standardized interface for path selection and tunnel management, shielding the underlying complexity from individual VNICs while enabling sophisticated multipathing capabilities.
3Productivity
If data is divided into portions using different paths, then throughput is improved, but path selection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service path selection where each virtual network interface autonomously selects and manages its own TCP session paths through the overlay VM infrastructure. This distributed decision-making approach improves data flow throughput by enabling parallel path selection without requiring centralized coordination, thereby reducing the operational complexity of path management while maintaining high productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
For multipathing using a network of overlays, a set of virtual network interfaces (VNICs) corresponding to a physical network interface (PNIC) is created in a first data processing system. A first virtual network interface (VNIC) from the set of VNICs is bound to a virtual machine (VM) executing in a first data processing environment across a data network from the first data processing system. During a data communication with a second data processing system, data is divided into a first portion and a second portion, the first portion using a first path from the first VNIC to the first VM to the second data processing system, and the second portion using a second path from the PNIC to the second data processing system.