Network Virtualization Edge Device Address Resolution via Distributed Hash Table
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network virtualization edge (NVE) devices rely heavily on multicast or broadcast packets to determine corresponding NVE devices for address resolution, leading to increased processing pressure on physical networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a network virtualization method and device that uses a distributed hash table search algorithm to determine NVE devices based on IP addresses, reducing dependency on multicast or broadcast packets by querying address information from distributed storage across NVE devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the NVE device uses packet learning based on VXLAN control plane to determine the NVE device corresponding to the destination host, then the NVE device can acquire address information, but the processing pressure on the physical network increases due to reliance on multicast or broadcast packets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the address resolution process into two parts: (1) local NVE devices store and manage their own IP-MAC address mappings locally, and (2) query operations are performed locally without requiring network-wide broadcast/multicast packets. This segmentation eliminates the need for pervasive control plane packets while maintaining address resolution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each NVE device maintains its own address mapping information locally and can independently resolve addresses without relying on other NVE devices to respond to broadcast/multicast queries. The system serves itself through local storage and lookup, eliminating the need for network-wide packet flooding.
2Loss of information
If the NVE device relies on multicast or broadcast packets for address resolution, then address information can be obtained, but network scalability is reduced due to increased processing pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The address resolution function is segmented from the control plane packet exchange mechanism. Each NVE device independently stores address mappings and performs local lookups, eliminating the need for scalable broadcast/multicast infrastructure and enabling the network to scale without proportional increases in control plane traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the address resolution function from the VXLAN control plane packet exchange mechanism. By removing the dependency on broadcast/multicast packets for address resolution, the system achieves scalability without being constrained by control plane packet overhead.
3Productivity
If the NVE device uses distributed hash table search algorithm to determine the another NVE device, then address information acquisition efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of address resolution from network-based packet exchange to local data structure lookup. By transforming the problem from a network communication task to a local computational task using hash tables, the system achieves O(1) lookup efficiency while the apparent complexity is hidden within the NVE device's local processing capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
An address acquiring method includes receiving an address resolution request packet sent by a source host, where the address resolution request packet includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address of a destination host; determining another network virtualization edge (NVE) device, where the another NVE device stores a correspondence between the IP address of the destination host and a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the destination host and a correspondence between the IP address of the destination host and an IP address of a destination NVE device corresponding to the destination host; obtaining the MAC address of the destination host and the IP address of the destination NVE device corresponding to the destination host from the another NVE device according to the IP address of the destination host. The technical solutions provided in the present disclosure are intended to reduce processing pressure on a physical network.