Nested VM Container for Secure Cloud Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for migrating application virtual machines between enterprise networks and cloud extensions face challenges such as security, privacy, compliance, and compatibility issues, particularly with existing solutions like OpenVPN and vCider, which lack support for VM mobility, storage overlays, and efficient resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
The system provides a method for managing virtual machines by abstracting interfaces transparent to cloud infrastructure, intercepting network traffic, and establishing secure tunnels, using nested VM containers with dual TCP/IP stacks to enable secure communication and flexible resource allocation, while being agnostic to operating systems and hypervisors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing solutions like OpenVPN and vCider are used for VM migration, then basic network connectivity is established, but security, privacy, and compliance requirements are not adequately met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud gateway as an intermediary component that sits between the enterprise network and cloud extension. This gateway implements encryption, authentication, and protocol translation functions, allowing secure communication while maintaining compatibility with different VM environments and network configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the network communication into multiple layers: enterprise network segment, cloud extension segment, and transition segment handled by the cloud gateway. This segmentation allows each segment to be optimized independently for security requirements while maintaining overall system compatibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If VM migration is implemented with basic tunneling, then network connectivity is achieved, but VM mobility and storage overlay support are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud gateway is designed as a universal platform that handles multiple functions: network tunneling, storage overlay management, VM lifecycle operations, and security enforcement. This multi-functionality enables VM mobility across different cloud providers while managing complexity through a single unified interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates virtual copies of network interfaces and storage connections that allow VMs to be migrated without physically moving the underlying infrastructure. The cloud gateway manages these virtual copies, enabling seamless VM mobility while abstracting the complexity from the VM itself.
3Reliability
If secure tunnels are established for VM communication, then security is improved, but network performance and resource allocation efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud gateway dynamically adjusts tunnel parameters, encryption levels, and resource allocation based on current security requirements and performance metrics. This dynamic optimization allows the system to maintain high security standards while maximizing resource utilization and network throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as tunnel protocol selection, encryption algorithm choice, and resource allocation thresholds based on workload characteristics and security policies. These parameter adjustments optimize both security and performance for different migration scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes managing a virtual machine (VM) in a cloud extension, where the VM is part of a distributed virtual switch (DVS) of an enterprise network, abstracting an interface that is transparent to a cloud infrastructure of the cloud extension, and intercepting network traffic from the VM, where the VM can communicate securely with the enterprise network. The cloud extension comprises a nested VM container (NVC) that includes an emulator configured to enable abstracting the interface, and dual transmission control protocol/Internet Protocol stacks for supporting a first routing domain for communication with the cloud extension, and a second routing domain for communication with the enterprise network. The NVC may be agnostic with respect to operating systems running on the VM. The method further includes migrating the VM from the enterprise network to the cloud extension through suitable methods.