Network Device Virtual Machine Metadata Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network devices typically offer a fixed set of functionalities, limiting their ability to implement additional functions or applications without compromising reliability and ease of management, and they lack flexibility in directing network traffic and communicating additional data associated with network traffic.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of network devices capable of hosting virtual machines, with multiple data taps for directing network traffic and hyperswitches for specifying unidirectional data flow, along with extended non-standard network protocols for communicating metadata between virtual machines and network traffic processing modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network devices provide a fixed or limited set of functionality, then reliability and ease of management are enhanced, but adaptability and versatility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The network device is segmented into a control plane and a data plane, with the control plane handling management and configuration tasks while the data plane handles packet forwarding. This segmentation allows the control plane to maintain reliability through standardized protocols while the data plane achieves adaptability through programmable packet processing pipelines that can be dynamically configured with different processing rules and applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal packet processing pipeline that can execute multiple different applications and processing functions within a single network device. The pipeline uses a rule-based architecture where processing rules can be dynamically installed and configured to perform various functions such as firewall filtering, load balancing, deep packet inspection, and application-aware routing, allowing one device to serve multiple roles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If network devices implement additional functions or applications, then adaptability and versatility are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new dimension to network device architecture by introducing a programmable packet processing pipeline that operates between the traditional data plane and control plane. This pipeline dimension allows dynamic insertion of processing applications and rules without changing the fundamental device structure, enabling versatility while maintaining manageable complexity through a layered architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary packet processing pipeline that mediates between incoming packets and the core network functions. This pipeline acts as a flexible intermediary layer where processing rules and applications can be dynamically configured to perform various functions, allowing the device to adapt to different requirements without permanently altering its core architecture or increasing inherent complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard network protocols are used for communicating with virtual machines, then compatibility is maintained, but ability to communicate additional metadata deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds metadata communication capabilities within the existing virtual machine communication framework. Extended metadata fields are nested within standard protocol structures, allowing metadata to be transmitted alongside traditional network traffic without requiring separate communication channels or disrupting existing protocol compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies protocol parameters by extending standard network protocols with additional metadata fields and attributes. These parameter changes allow the protocols to carry both traditional networking information and additional metadata such as application-layer context, traffic classification information, and performance metrics, enabling comprehensive information exchange while maintaining backward compatibility through optional field inclusion.
Data Source
AI summary
Network devices include hosted virtual machines and virtual machine applications. Hosted virtual machines and their applications implement additional functions and services in network devices. Network devices include data taps for directing network traffic to hosted virtual machines and allowing hosted virtual machines to inject network traffic. Network devices include unidirectional data flow specifications, referred to as hyperswitches. Each hyperswitch is associated with a hosted virtual machine and receives network traffic received by the network device from a single direction. Each hyperswitch processes network traffic according to rules and rule criteria. A hosted virtual machine can be associated with multiple hyperswitches, thereby independently specifying the data flow of network traffic to and from the hosted virtual machine from multiple networks. The network device architecture also enables the communication of additional information between the network device and one or more virtual machine applications using an extended non-standard network protocol.