High-Availability Network Controller State Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network systems face downtime and disruption when a network controller fails, requiring resetting and reconfiguration of network elements, which leads to delays and service disruptions during the transition to a new master controller.
Innovation Solution
A high-availability network controller system where state information is communicated from network elements to a master controller, transformed, and then distributed to follower controllers, allowing seamless failover to a new master controller without resetting network elements, ensuring continuous operation and minimizing downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network elements are migrated to a new network controller after master controller failure, then network service can continue running, but resetting and reconfiguring the new controller causes delays and disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having follower network controllers pre-load and synchronize state information from the master controller before failover occurs. This ensures that when a master controller fails, the designated follower already possesses the necessary network state data (including virtual network configurations, routing tables, and MAC address bindings) to immediately assume the master role without requiring reset or reconfiguration, thereby eliminating downtime
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements copying by creating and maintaining identical copies of the master controller's state information across multiple follower controllers. The state synchronization mechanism continuously replicates the master's database contents to followers, ensuring that any follower can be promoted to master with zero data loss and minimal interruption to network operations
2Ease of operation
If network elements are reset to default states during controller failover, then the new master controller can start with clean state, but network service experiences disruption and delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary synchronization of state information to follower controllers before failover, eliminating the need for post-failover initialization. The new master controller already has the current network state pre-loaded, allowing it to resume operations immediately without resetting network elements to default states
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring that network state information remains intact and accessible during controller transitions. The state synchronization mechanism keeps follower controllers updated with the master's current state, allowing seamless continuation of network operations without interruption or reset
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for high-availability operation is provided. The method includes communicating state information from each of a plurality of network elements to at least a first master network controller. The method includes communicating transformed state information from the first master network controller to the plurality of network elements and to each of a plurality of follower network controllers. The method includes continuing the high-availability operation with a new master network controller selected from among the plurality of follower network controllers as a failover, using the transformed state information in the new master network controller and in the plurality of network elements, responsive to a failure of the first master network controller. A network controller system is also provided.