NIC Switching for Virtual Network Packet Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for implementing virtual networks in cloud data centers lack efficient methods for handling requests for layer 2 addresses corresponding to layer 3 addresses for default gateways, particularly in providing overlay network gateway functionality and packet forwarding between virtual network endpoints and virtual routers.
Innovation Solution
A method and computing device configuration that involves a virtual router executing on a server to provide a virtual network, where the router receives requests for layer 2 addresses, generates new layer 2 headers, and forwards packets between virtual network endpoints and tunnel endpoints using a network interface card's internal device switch, enabling efficient packet switching and routing within the virtual network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a virtual router is implemented to provide overlay network gateway functionality, then packet forwarding capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual router as an intermediary component that sits between virtual network endpoints and the physical network interface card. This virtual router handles overlay network gateway functionality, performing packet forwarding, address resolution, and routing decisions. By placing this intermediary layer, the system achieves enhanced packet forwarding capability while isolating the complexity within the virtual router module, allowing the underlying NIC to remain relatively simple.
2Productivity
If multiple hardware components are used for packet I/O access, then communication efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network interface functionality by providing multiple separate packet input/output access paths through different hardware components. Specifically, it implements a first hardware component and a second hardware component, each providing independent packet I/O access to the physical network interface. This segmentation allows parallel communication paths, improving overall communication efficiency while distributing the complexity across separate, manageable components rather than one complex monolithic interface.
Data Source
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AI summary
In some examples, a computing device comprises a virtual network endpoint; a network interface card (NIC) comprising a first hardware component and a second hardware component, wherein the first hardware component and the second hardware component provide separate packet input/output access to a physical network interface of the NIC, wherein the NIC is configured to receive a packet inbound from the physical network interface; and a virtual router to receive the packet from the NIC and output, using the first hardware component, in response to determining a destination endpoint of the packet is the virtual network endpoint, the packet back to the NIC, wherein the NIC is further configured to switch, in response to receiving the packet from the virtual router, the packet to the virtual network endpoint and to output, using the second hardware component, the packet to the virtual network endpoint.