Programmable Network Platform for Cloud Service Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cloud computing systems face challenges in dynamically and efficiently managing service provisioning across multiple cloud service providers, leading to suboptimal performance, security, and cost inefficiencies due to reliance on public Internet connections and lack of direct integration with internal applications.
Innovation Solution
A programmable network platform that orchestrates business-level services across heterogeneous cloud providers, using a centralized network controller and network field units to configure virtual connections, ensure service level agreements, and integrate cloud services with internal applications, bypassing public Internet for improved security and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cloud services are delivered through public Internet connections, then service accessibility is improved, but security and performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud exchange fabric as an intermediary network infrastructure that mediates between cloud service providers and customers. This fabric provides direct private connections bypassing the public Internet, thereby maintaining service accessibility while improving security and performance through dedicated network paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network infrastructure into distinct components: cloud service provider networks, cloud exchange fabric, and customer networks. This segmentation allows direct private connections between providers and customers through the fabric, eliminating the need to traverse the public Internet while maintaining accessibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cloud service providers are integrated, then service variety is improved, but system complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud exchange fabric is designed as a universal intermediary that can accommodate multiple cloud service providers and customers with different requirements. It provides standardized interfaces and protocols that enable diverse services to be integrated without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cloud exchange fabric acts as a mediating layer that abstracts the complexity of multi-provider integration. It handles routing, signaling, and resource allocation centrally, allowing individual providers and customers to interact through standardized interfaces rather than requiring complex peer-to-peer integration.
3Speed
If direct connections are established between cloud customers and providers, then performance is improved, but integration complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud exchange fabric serves as an intermediary that simplifies direct connections between customers and providers. It handles the complex tasks of connection establishment, routing, and resource allocation, allowing performance-optimized direct paths to be created without requiring customers or providers to manage the integration complexity themselves.
4Ease of manufacture
If cloud services are delivered through public Internet, then deployment ease is improved, but cost efficiency worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network path into public Internet access (for initial deployment) and private direct connections (for ongoing service delivery). This allows services to be easily deployed through public Internet while achieving cost efficiency through dedicated private connections for actual data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The cloud exchange fabric provides an intermediary private network path that reduces reliance on public Internet for service delivery. This intermediary infrastructure enables cost-efficient direct connections while maintaining the ease of deployment through standardized interfaces.
Data Source
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AI summary
In some examples, a network data center comprises a cloud-based services exchange point comprising a network, the cloud-based services exchange point operated by a cloud exchange provider that operates the network data center; and a programmable network platform comprising at least one programmable processor configured to receive a service request that specifies a plurality of cloud services provided by respective cloud service provider networks operated by respective cloud service providers, wherein the service request further specifies a topology for the plurality of cloud services; and provision, responsive to the service request, the cloud-based services exchange point to forward service traffic for the plurality of cloud services according to the topology for the plurality of cloud services.