Packet Relay System Tenant Switching via Header Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
In packet relay systems, there is a need to switch specific packets to a desired tenant, especially during physical server construction or when switching traffic with low latency requirements.
Innovation Solution
A packet relay system with a connection management unit that determines the transfer destination of packets based on header information, allowing for flexible switching of packets between tenants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a tunneling protocol such as IPsec, VXLAN, or GRE is used for packet relay, then packet transfer between mobile terminals and cloud servers is enabled, but the system cannot switch specific packets to different tenants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the packet relay function by introducing a connection management unit that operates alongside the tunneling protocol. This unit separately handles packet classification and routing decisions, allowing specific packets to be directed to different tenants while maintaining the overall tunneling infrastructure. The segmentation enables independent control of packet flow without redesigning the entire relay system.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection management unit acts as an intermediary between the tunneling protocol and the packet relay process. It intercepts packets, determines their transfer destinations based on header information, and directs them to appropriate tenants. This intermediary layer enables packet switching flexibility without disrupting the existing tunneling protocol operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all packets use a single IP address as transmission destination, then simplified routing is achieved, but specific packet switching between tenants becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the routing destination variable based on packet characteristics. Instead of a uniform routing approach for all packets, the connection management unit analyzes header information of each packet and directs it to the appropriate tenant-specific IP address. This localized differentiation enables tenant switching while maintaining simple overall routing configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pilot switching is implemented to switch only some traffic to a new tenant, then trial basis switching is enabled, but the system lacks mechanism to identify and switch specific packets
Solution Approach 1:
The connection management unit performs preliminary action by examining packet header information before routing decisions are made. It identifies packets that should be switched to different tenants based on pre-defined criteria, enabling pilot switching functionality. This preliminary identification simplifies the process of switching specific packets while implementing partial traffic redirection to new tenants.
Data Source
AI summary
A packet relay system (1) includes a tenant (51) in which a plurality of tap devices (513, 514) terminating a tunneling protocol are built, a tenant (52) in which a plurality of tap devices (523, 524) are built, and a plurality of relay devices (41, 42) connecting the plurality of tenants (51, 52) and external devices (31, 32). The relay devices (41, 42) include respective connection management units (414, 424) that determine transfer destinations of packets received from the external devices (31, 32) based on header information of the packets.