Network Control Apparatus for Virtual Appliance Path Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems require dedicated hardware appliances for each network function, leading to high costs and short lifecycles, with existing virtualization technologies not effectively controlling communication paths, resulting in inefficient use of virtual appliances.
Innovation Solution
A network control apparatus that deploys virtual appliances on general-purpose equipment to execute dedicated appliance functions, controlling communication paths by instructing network resources to identify and transfer relevant data to the appropriate processing resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated appliances are used for each network function, then network service functionality is ensured, but costs and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by deploying multiple virtual appliances on a single physical server, allowing one piece of hardware to perform multiple network functions simultaneously. The server executes different virtual machine programs that provide firewall, routing, and other network services, replacing the need for separate dedicated appliances for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating virtual copies of appliance functions through virtual machine programs. Instead of using physical copies of dedicated appliances, the system creates software-based virtual appliances that replicate the functionality of hardware appliances, thereby reducing physical device complexity while maintaining service reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated appliances are introduced for new network services, then service functionality is achieved, but purchase and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows a single server to provide multiple network services through different virtual appliances, enabling network operators to introduce new services by deploying additional virtual machine programs rather than purchasing new hardware, thereby reducing installation costs while maintaining service adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling flexible deployment and removal of virtual appliances based on service requirements. Virtual appliances can be dynamically added, removed, or modified through software updates without physical hardware changes, allowing cost-effective adaptation to new network services.
3Device complexity
If virtualization technology is used without communication path control, then hardware costs are reduced, but virtual appliance utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication path control mechanism as an intermediary between network traffic and virtual appliances. This control system identifies communication data that needs to be processed by specific virtual appliances and directs these data streams appropriately, ensuring efficient utilization of virtual appliances while maintaining the cost benefits of virtualization.
4Reliability
If dedicated appliances are used, then network service reliability is ensured, but appliance lifecycle becomes shorter without sufficient profit recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling flexible migration and updating of virtual appliances without disrupting network services. Virtual appliances can be moved between physical hosts, updated, or replaced through software changes, extending the effective lifecycle of network services beyond the limitations of physical hardware lifecycles while maintaining service reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Efficient use of a virtual appliance corresponding to a dedicated appliance in a communication system will be accomplished. A network control apparatus according to the present invention is a network control apparatus that constructs a function of hardware equipment used in a communication network by using software, and includes: first means for deploying the software capable of executing the function of the hardware equipment in an information processing resource; and second means for instructing a network resource to identify communication data to be processed by the deployed software and to transfer the identified communication data to the information processing resource.