Network Virtualization Device Health Check Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtual networks, it is challenging for end-users to monitor the health status of instances due to the absence of physical components, necessitating improved visibility into virtual network health information.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for performing end-to-end health checks between a host machine and a network virtualization device, involving a processor that sends requests to compute instances, monitors communications through a virtual network interface card (VNIC), stores packet information, updates response tracking tables, and notifies users of health status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If physical network components are replaced with virtual network components, then network flexibility and accessibility are improved, but network health monitoring capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network virtualization device as an intermediary component between the physical network and virtual instances. This device includes a health check module that actively monitors network health by sending test packets and tracking responses, providing visibility into virtual network status without requiring direct access to physical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms through health check responses from virtual instances. The health check module sends requests and monitors responses to determine instance health status, creating a closed-loop monitoring system that continuously reports network health information to users.
2Ease of operation
If physical network components are virtualized, then user accessibility to network services is improved, but direct component inspection capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual representation of network components and their health status. The health check module generates and analyzes test packets that traverse the virtual network, creating observable data about instance status that mirrors what physical inspection would provide, without requiring physical access.
Solution Approach 2:
The network virtualization device serves as a mediator that translates physical network operations into observable virtual network metrics. It intercepts and monitors communications between physical network infrastructure and virtual instances, providing users with health information without exposing physical components.
3Productivity
If multiple host machines share a virtual network, then resource utilization is improved, but health monitoring complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The health check module in the network virtualization device provides universal monitoring capability across multiple host machines and virtual instances. A single monitoring system handles health checks for all instances sharing the virtual network, simplifying what would otherwise require separate monitoring solutions for each machine.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments health monitoring into discrete health check requests and responses for each virtual instance. The system independently tracks each instance's health status through individual test packets, allowing complex multi-machine monitoring to be broken down into manageable, instance-specific units that are aggregated into overall network health information.
Data Source
AI summary
Described are systems and methods of monitoring network health and traffic. Monitoring network health and traffic can include sending a request to a compute instance to trigger a response from the compute instance, monitoring, via a network virtualization device, communications from a virtual network interface card (VNIC) associated with the compute instance, storing information indicative of a last received packet by the VNIC, monitoring the stored information indicative of the last received packet to determine a health status of the compute instance associated with the VNIC, updating a table configured to track received responses from the compute instance, and notifying a downstream user of the health status of the compute instance.