Pooling Network Processing Resources for Dynamic Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data center networking technologies face challenges in dynamically managing network resources and efficiently handling the frequent changes in protocols and applications, leading to potential performance and stability issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that utilizes disaggregated resources and a managed node concept, where resources from different nodes can be logically coupled to form composite nodes, allowing for dynamic allocation and deallocation of resources based on workload requirements. This system also employs software-defined networking (SDN) and OpenStack Networking to coordinate network operations and manage network functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If network resources are tightly coupled to specific nodes, then system simplicity is maintained, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network processing resources from their host nodes to create independent, shareable resource units. Network processing functions are divided into discrete resources that can be allocated to multiple applications, enabling efficient sharing while maintaining manageable complexity through modular resource units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal network processing resources that can serve multiple applications and workloads simultaneously. A single network processing resource can be dynamically allocated to different applications based on demand, making the system multi-functional without requiring separate dedicated resources for each application.
2Productivity
If network resources are disaggregated and dynamically allocated, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network processing resource manager as an intermediary between applications and physical network resources. This manager handles the complexity of resource allocation, tracking, and deallocation, allowing applications to access network resources without directly managing the underlying complexity of resource sharing and coordination.
3Reliability
If dedicated network resources are allocated to each application, then application performance stability is ensured, but resource flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic network processing resource allocation where resources can be assigned, reassigned, and deallocated based on real-time application needs and workload conditions. This dynamic approach ensures stable performance for active applications while maintaining the flexibility to adapt resource distribution as applications are added, removed, or scaled.
4Adaptability or versatility
If frequent protocol changes are supported, then application versatility is improved, but network stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network processing capabilities into independent, configurable resources that can be individually tailored to specific protocol requirements. This segmentation allows the network to support multiple protocols and applications simultaneously through specialized resource instances while maintaining overall network stability through isolated resource management.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples described herein relate to a switch configured to allocate packet processing resources, from a pool of packet processing resources, to multiple applications, wherein the pool of packet processing resources comprise configurable packet processing pipelines of one or more network devices and packet processing resources of one or more servers. In some examples, the configurable packet processing pipelines and the packet processing resources are to perform one or more of: network switch operations, microservice communications, and/or block storage operations. In some examples, the network switch operations comprise one or more of: application of at least one access control list (ACL), packet forwarding, packet routing, and/or Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) or GENEVE termination. In some examples, the microservice communications comprise one or more of: packet routing between microservices and/or load balancing of utilized microservices.