Scalable Cloud Network Element for Hybrid Cloud Bandwidth Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid cloud environments face challenges with dynamic bandwidth scaling and failover redundancy in overlay networks, limiting their ability to efficiently manage resource allocation and ensure high availability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a scalable cloud network element (CNE) with a cloud manager that dynamically instantiates cloud gateways and nested VM containers, allowing for automatic scaling and monitoring of virtual machines across hybrid cloud environments, using distributed virtual switch technology and virtual machine migration techniques to optimize resource allocation and failover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If hardware capacity is permanently increased to handle enterprise data center workload, then processing capacity is improved, but hardware and operational costs permanently increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bandwidth scaling where the overlay network capacity is not fixed but can be adjusted in real-time based on actual workload demands. Virtual machine interfaces are dynamically instantiated and deactivated, allowing the system to scale processing capacity up or down without permanent hardware commitments, thus maintaining adequate power while avoiding permanent increases in hardware quantity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The overlay network infrastructure is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides burst capacity handling, failover redundancy, and dynamic scaling. The same virtualized network components can be allocated to different workloads as needed, maximizing the utility of leased hardware resources and reducing the need for dedicated permanent hardware investments.
2Quantity of substance
If overlay network capacity is increased to handle burst workloads, then bandwidth availability is improved, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The overlay network implements automatic scaling mechanisms that monitor workload demands and dynamically allocate bandwidth resources without manual intervention. The system self-adjusts capacity by instantiating or deactivating virtual machine interfaces based on actual traffic patterns, eliminating the need for complex manual network configuration and management while maintaining adequate bandwidth availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates monitoring mechanisms that continuously track network workload and performance metrics. This feedback information is used to automatically adjust overlay network capacity, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing conditions. The feedback-driven approach simplifies network management by replacing complex proactive configuration with reactive, data-driven automatic adjustments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If virtual machine interfaces are dynamically instantiated and deactivated, then bandwidth scaling is improved, but monitoring complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a management application as an intermediary layer between the virtual machine interfaces and the monitoring system. This intermediary abstracts the complexity of dynamic instantiation and deactivation events, providing a simplified interface for tracking bandwidth scaling operations. The management application consolidates monitoring data and presents it in a manageable format, reducing the difficulty of detecting and measuring network state changes.
4Reliability
If cloud gateways are dynamically created and connected, then failover redundancy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a failover mechanism where backup cloud gateways are pre-configured and standby resources are prepared in advance. When failover is needed, the system can quickly activate pre-prepared resources rather than creating them from scratch during the failure event. This preliminary preparation reduces system complexity by having standardized failover procedures and pre-established connection templates.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided for a management application in a first virtual network to start a first cloud gateway in the first virtual network. One or more first messages are sent to a second virtual network, the one or more first messages comprising information configured to start a second cloud gateway and a first virtual switch in the second virtual network. A connection is established between the first cloud gateway and the second cloud gateway, where the first cloud gateway, the second cloud gateway, and the first virtual switch form a first scalable cloud network element. One or more second messages are sent to the second virtual network, the one or more second messages comprising information configured to start a virtual machine and a first virtual machine interface configured to allow the virtual machine to access processing resources in the second virtual network. Data are stored that associates the virtual machine with the first virtual switch.