Network Teaming via Distinct MAC Addresses for Redundant Load-Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network configurations are limited in achieving both network redundancy and receive traffic aggregation and load-balancing, as existing port-trunking techniques require all team members to be coupled to the same switch, forcing users to choose between redundancy and receive traffic aggregation.
Innovation Solution
The system allows for the creation of multiple independent switch-assisted load-balanced teams by intercepting ARP responses and assigning distinct MAC addresses to each group of NICs coupled to different switches, enabling receive load-balancing across redundant connections while maintaining redundant connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If port-trunking techniques are used to aggregate receive traffic, then receive throughput is improved, but network redundancy is reduced because all team members must be coupled to the same switch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the network interface team into multiple groups, where each group is coupled to a different switch. This segmentation allows receive traffic aggregation within each group while maintaining redundancy across groups through different switches, resolving the contradiction between throughput aggregation and network redundancy.
2Reliability
If multiple adapter ports are teamed for redundancy, then network reliability is improved, but receive traffic aggregation is lost because conventional techniques require all ports on the same switch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the teamed adapter ports into multiple groups distributed across different switches. Each group can independently perform receive traffic aggregation, while the distribution across switches provides redundancy. This resolves the contradiction by enabling both redundancy and aggregation simultaneously through spatial segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of organization by grouping ports not just by switch connection but by creating multiple independent teams that can be distributed across switches. This dimensional change in organizing network resources enables both redundancy and receive traffic aggregation to coexist.
3Reliability
If adapter ports are distributed across multiple switches for redundancy, then network reliability is improved, but receive load-balancing becomes difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments ports into distinct groups coupled to different switches, with each group forming an independent team. This segmentation simplifies configuration by allowing each group to be managed separately with standard port-trunking techniques, reducing overall complexity while maintaining redundancy across groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary grouping of adapter ports into teams before distributing them across switches. This preliminary organization simplifies subsequent configuration and management, as each pre-configured team can be independently managed, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system teams its network resources by apportioning each of the resources into one of two or more groups. One or more resources make up each of the groups having a link operative to be coupled together as a port trunk to a different one of two or more coupling devices providing connectivity between the system and a network. A unique layer2 address is assigned to each one of the groups. The one or more resources of each group are programmed to receive on their group's assigned layer2 address. A response is generated to a communication request received from the network. The responses specify one of the assigned layer2 addresses.