Overlay Network Dynamic Path Calculation for Data Center Resilience

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cloud computing infrastructure requires over-provisioning and has long setup times due to statically fixed redundancies, making it challenging to ensure high resilience and quality of service, especially in the event of failures within the network.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a control device and an overlay network that uses segment routing mechanisms, OpenFlow compliance, and connections to multiple domains, allowing dynamic path calculation based on operational needs to reroute data between data centers and adapt to failures, thereby abstracting from Internet service providers' routing policies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If statically fixed redundancies are deployed across multiple data centers, then service resilience is improved, but resource over-provisioning increases and configuration time lengthens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice resilienceVSAvoidresource over-provisioning
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic path selection and resource allocation in the overlay network, allowing routing paths to be adjusted in real-time based on actual traffic conditions and failure states. This replaces static redundancy with dynamic adaptability, maintaining resilience while reducing the need for fixed over-provisioning of resources across all data centers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes routing parameters and path selection criteria dynamically based on network conditions, failure detection, and traffic requirements. By modifying routing parameters rather than maintaining fixed redundant paths, the system achieves resilience without permanent over-provisioning of network resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If statically fixed redundancies are deployed across multiple data centers, then service resilience is improved, but configuration time lengthens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice resilienceVSAvoidconfiguration time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The overlay network is pre-configured with multiple possible paths and routing options, but actual path selection is deferred until needed. The control device maintains a pool of pre-established routing rules and path options that can be rapidly activated without requiring lengthy configuration processes when failures occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static pre-configuration to dynamic path selection at runtime. The control device can rapidly reconfigure routing paths in response to failures without requiring lengthy manual configuration processes, achieving both resilience and rapid deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If segment routing mechanism with dynamic path calculation is implemented, then adaptability to failures is improved, but control device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to failuresVSAvoidcontrol device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a control device as an intermediary that centralizes the complexity of dynamic path calculation and segment routing management. This control device acts as a mediator between the overlay network and underlying infrastructure, handling the computational complexity of failure detection and path recalculation while presenting a simplified interface to network participants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops where the control device continuously monitors network state, detects failures, and automatically recalculates paths. This feedback mechanism automates the adaptation process, reducing manual intervention complexity while maintaining high adaptability to dynamic failure conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3231137B1Overlay network for communication network connecting data centres of a cloud services provider
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 WORLDLINE SA(FR)
  • EP3231137B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to an overlay network (ON) for a communication network (CN) intended to connect data centres (CSP-A, CSP-B, CSP-C, CSP-D) of a cloud services provider, said overlay network comprising a plurality of particular nodes (NI, N2, N3... N22) configured so as to form paths linking the data centres, and the overlay network being associated with a control device (CC); the particular nodes being further intended to transmit local measurements to the control device intended to calculate a new path within the overlay network and to supply this new path with a set of particular nodes from said plurality, in the event that an anomaly is determined from the local measurements.