Network Bridge Mediates Bonded Interface for Virtual Switch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distributed virtual switches in cloud computing networks are incompatible with network bonds created by UNIX-based operating systems, such as Linux, which limits the use of link aggregation protocols and undermines the advantages of increased throughput, redundancy, and load balancing.
Innovation Solution
A network bridge is used as an intermediary between the UNIX-based network bond and the virtual multilayer switch, allowing traffic to flow indirectly from the bonded network interface to the virtual multilayer switch by associating the bonded interface with the bridge and connecting it to the integration bridge of the virtual switch, thereby enabling compatibility with unsupported bond types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UNIX-based network bonds are used for link aggregation, then increased throughput and redundancy are achieved, but compatibility with distributed virtual switches is lost
Solution Approach 1:
A network bridge is introduced as an intermediary component between the UNIX-based network bond and the distributed virtual switch. The bridge translates or adapts the bond interface characteristics into a format compatible with the virtual switch, allowing both link aggregation benefits and virtual switch compatibility to coexist without direct connection between incompatible components
2Adaptability or versatility
If individual network interfaces are connected directly to the virtual switch, then compatibility is maintained, but link aggregation advantages are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The network bridge serves as a mediator that allows the virtual switch to interact with the bonded interface as if it were a single compatible interface, while internally maintaining the link aggregation configuration. This enables the system to achieve both compatibility and the productivity benefits of link aggregation simultaneously
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for configuring a physical computing system (e.g., in a cloud computing network) to connect a network bond with a virtual multilayer switch. An operating system process executing in the physical computing system receives a selection of one or more network interfaces. The process aggregates the selected network interfaces into a bonded network interface having a first port. The process creates a network bridge having a second port. The process associates the first port with the second port. The process connects the network bridge with an integration bridge of the virtual multilayer switch via the second port.