Network Address Translation in Software Defined Networking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Migrating services from traditional dedicated infrastructure to virtualized networks poses challenges due to increased complexity in accommodating message routing, which hinders the benefits of virtualization in network operations.
Innovation Solution
A software-defined networking environment with a control system that creates, validates, and manages network address translation functions, including switches and virtual functions, to provide address translation services by analyzing recipes, accessing resource inventories, and configuring network addresses through APIs, allowing for flexible deployment and management of network address translation techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If services are migrated from dedicated infrastructure to virtualized networks, then flexibility and scalability are improved, but message routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control system as an intermediary between service components in the virtualized network. This control system manages message routing between virtual service components, abstracting the complexity from the services themselves while maintaining the flexibility benefits of virtualization. The control system acts as a mediator that handles the intricate routing requirements without requiring services to directly manage this complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If network address translation functions are created as standalone entities in virtualized environment, then service flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network address translation function into a standalone virtual entity that can be independently created, managed, and scaled. This segmentation allows the NAT function to be separated from other service components, providing flexibility in deployment and management. The control system further segments the management of these standalone entities through automated orchestration, reducing the operational complexity despite the increased number of independent components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic creation and management of network address translation functions through the control system. These standalone NAT entities can be dynamically instantiated, configured, and terminated based on service requirements. The control system provides dynamic resource allocation and automated lifecycle management, which reduces the complexity of managing these dynamic entities while maximizing service flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If multiple control functions are introduced to manage virtual functions and switches, then service management capability is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple control functions into a unified control system that manages both virtual service components and network infrastructure elements. This consolidation provides comprehensive service management capability while reducing operational complexity through a single point of control. The control system integrates functions for managing virtual machines, network address translation, and message routing, eliminating the need for multiple separate control mechanisms and simplifying operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for providing network address translation in a software defined networking environment. A control system can detect a request to create a network address translation function. The control system can analyze a recipe to identify a network address translation switch and a network address translation virtual function that are to provide functionality of the network address translation function, trigger instantiation of the network address translation switch via a network control function, and trigger instantiation of the network address translation virtual function via a service control function. The control system can validate the network address translation function and chain the network address translation function to a host. The network address translation function can provide address translation for the host using the network address translation switch.