One-Arm Node Clustering via Port Channel Bandwidth Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In network application services, allocating proper bandwidth between port channels and control link VLANs is challenging due to varying control traffic demands, leading to underutilization or saturation, and increased susceptibility to node failures when both links are required to function.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a one-arm node clustering using a port channel that accommodates both network and control traffic, allowing for efficient bandwidth allocation and enhanced reliability by ensuring both data and control connectivity remain active even if one port fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bandwidth is allocated to the control link VLAN, then control traffic can be accommodated, but the total available bandwidth is underutilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the port channel and control link VLAN into a single unified interface. Application nodes communicate with the network through the port channel, while control traffic between nodes uses the same physical infrastructure via VLAN tagging, eliminating the need for separate dedicated control links and optimizing bandwidth utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The port channel interface serves dual purposes: it handles both data traffic from the network and control traffic between application nodes. This multi-functional approach allows a single interface to replace what would traditionally require separate dedicated connections, improving overall resource efficiency.
2Productivity
If too little bandwidth is allocated to the control link VLAN, then bandwidth utilization is maximized, but the control link VLAN becomes saturated
Solution Approach 1:
By merging control and data traffic through the same port channel infrastructure, the system eliminates the artificial bandwidth constraints of a separate control VLAN. The unified interface provides sufficient capacity for both control plane and data plane traffic without risking saturation of dedicated control links.
3Ease of operation
If each application node includes both port channel and control link VLAN links, then connectivity is provided, but the node is more susceptible to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control link functionality from the traditional separate VLAN interface and integrates it into the port channel. This eliminates the additional failure point of a separate control link while maintaining all necessary connectivity functions through the unified interface.
4Reliability
If a control link VLAN is provided in addition to the port channel, then symmetric flow persistence is ensured, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges control and data traffic handling into a single port channel interface, simplifying the configuration from two separate interfaces (port channel + control VLAN) to one unified interface. Symmetric flow persistence is maintained through software-based control plane communication over the same infrastructure used for data plane traffic.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for providing one-arm node clustering using a port channel are provided herein. An example application node may be communicatively connected to at least one application node, and the application node may be connected to a network through a port channel. The application node may include: a link included in the port channel for accommodating the network data being communicated between the remote client and server; and a processor configured to send/receive a cluster control packet to/from the at least one application node through the link included in the port channel.