Physical Switch VXLAN Encapsulation for Data Center Forwarding

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Solution Overview

Problem

The low forwarding efficiency in data center networks due to the use of virtual Switches (vSwitches) as Virtual Extensible Local Area Network (VXLAN) Tunnel End Points (VTEPs) implemented in software.

Innovation Solution

Enabling the physical switch to function as a VTEP, where it obtains and associates relevant information of virtual Network Interface Controllers (vNICs) with local virtual ports, encapsulates Ethernet packets into VXLAN packets, and forwards them, leveraging hardware capabilities for improved efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If virtual Switches (vSwitches) are used as Virtual Extensible Local Area Network (VXLAN) Tunnel End Points (VTEPs) implemented in software, then flexibility and virtualization capability are improved, but forwarding efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirtualization capabilityVSAvoidforwarding efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the software-based vSwitch implementation with a hardware-based physical switch implementation. The physical switch is configured to perform VXLAN encapsulation and decapsulation operations in hardware, substituting the software processing mechanism with a hardware forwarding mechanism that achieves line-rate performance while maintaining VXLAN tunnel endpoint functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the physical switch to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a traditional Layer 2 switch for VLAN forwarding and as a VXLAN Tunnel Endpoint (VTEP) for overlay network operations. The physical switch maintains VLAN table for traditional switching while simultaneously maintaining VXLAN mapping tables for encapsulation/decapsulation operations, achieving multi-functionality in a single device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If physical switch is configured as VTEP with hardware-based operations, then forwarding efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforwarding efficiencyVSAvoidswitch configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the VLAN switching function and VXLAN tunnel endpoint function into a single physical switch device. Instead of having separate vSwitch and physical switch components, the physical switch is configured to handle both traditional VLAN forwarding and VXLAN encapsulation/decapsulation operations, reducing overall system complexity while improving forwarding efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary configuration of VXLAN mapping tables that associate VLAN IDs with VXLAN Network Identifiers (VNIs) before actual forwarding operations. The mapping relationships between VLANs and VXLAN tunnels are pre-established in the physical switch, allowing rapid hardware-based forwarding without complex real-time processing decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If VLANs are made invisible to users while enabling hardware-based VXLAN operations, then network security and service division are improved, but configuration and management difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork securityVSAvoidconfiguration difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces VXLAN as an intermediary layer between traditional VLAN networks. The physical switch performs VXLAN encapsulation, wrapping VLAN frames in VXLAN packets with outer IP headers. This intermediary mechanism allows VLANs to remain invisible to end users while enabling secure tenant isolation and service division through the VXLAN overlay network, with the physical switch handling all configuration complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10205657B2Packet forwarding in data center network

Publication Date: 2019.02.12 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEV LP

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for forwarding a packet, wherein the method comprising: for each Virtual Machine (VM) in the server, obtaining relevant information of a virtual Network Interface Controller (vNIC) of the VM, and associating the obtained relevant information with a local virtual port, wherein the relevant information includes a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the vNIC, a Virtual eXtensible Local Area Network (VXLAN) Network Identifier (VNI) of the VXLAN where the vNIC is located, and a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) Identifier (ID) of a VLAN associated with the VXLAN where the vNIC is located; after receiving an Ethernet packet sent by the server, searching a VNI according to a source MAC address of the Ethernet packet and a VLAN ID; and according to the searched VNI, encapsulating the Ethernet packet, obtaining a VXLAN packet, and forwarding the VXLAN packet.