Redundant Network Service Instances on Commodity Servers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network service implementations in high-speed networks often rely on expensive special-purpose hardware appliances that are inflexible and difficult to maintain, especially in environments with fluctuating demand for network services.

Innovation Solution

A self-contained network services system using dynamically configurable commodity servers to provide redundant instances of network services, allowing for elastic scalability and on-demand reconfiguration of network services without the need for physical reconfiguration of the datacenter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If special-purpose hardware appliances are used to provide network services, then service reliability and performance are improved, but cost and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork service reliabilityVSAvoidhardware appliance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of network service functions by deploying multiple instances of the same network service application across different physical servers. Instead of relying on a single specialized hardware appliance, the system replicates service functionality through software instances that can be distributed and managed across a network infrastructure, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining service reliability through redundancy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal network service architecture where a single physical server can host multiple different network service applications simultaneously. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for dedicated single-function hardware appliances with versatile servers that can dynamically provide various network services (firewall, load balancing, encryption, etc.) through software, reducing overall device complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If special-purpose hardware appliances are used to provide network services, then service performance is improved, but flexibility and adaptability to changing demands deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork service performanceVSAvoidservice flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic service provisioning where network service instances can be added, removed, scaled, or modified at runtime without physical reconfiguration. The system dynamically allocates computational resources and adjusts service capacity in response to changing network demands, allowing flexible adaptation while maintaining high performance through optimized resource utilization and load distribution across multiple instances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables flexible parameter adjustment of network services through software configuration rather than hardware reconfiguration. Service parameters such as capacity, thresholds, policies, and resource allocation can be dynamically modified to adapt to changing network conditions and demands, while performance is maintained through optimized parameter settings and automated resource management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If special-purpose hardware appliances are used to provide network services, then service stability is improved, but ease of maintenance and updates deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice stabilityVSAvoidmaintenance ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical hardware-based service delivery with software-based virtualization. Network services are implemented as software applications that run on standard server hardware, eliminating the need for specialized hardware appliances. This substitution enables easier maintenance through software updates, remote management, and automated deployment while maintaining service stability through virtualized isolation and controlled resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements automated service management capabilities including self-provisioning, self-monitoring, and self-healing mechanisms. Network service instances can automatically detect failures, trigger recovery procedures, and manage their own resource allocation, reducing manual maintenance requirements while maintaining service stability through automated fault tolerance and redundancy management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9485143B1Redundancy of network services in restricted networks

Publication Date: 2016.11.01 F5 NETWORKS INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices are described for managing virtual network services provided to a network. Network services may be provided to a client network having a first network fabric at a self-contained network services system implementing a number of redundant instances of a network service application. The self-contained network services system may have a second network fabric. The second network fabric may be adapted to distribute network service tasks received from the client network which are associated with the network service application among the redundant instances of the network service application.