SDN Appliance Migration with Shadow Mapping to Reduce Packet Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bare-metal servers in cloud computing environments lack the capability to execute software defined networking (SDN) policies, leading to data packet loss during migration to an SDN appliance due to the transition of network connections from a Virtual extensible Local-Area Network (VXLAN) switch to the SDN appliance.

Innovation Solution

Implement an interim shadow mapping policy on virtual network hosts to redirect outgoing traffic to an SDN appliance and enforce SDN policies, while maintaining existing connections with the VXLAN switch, followed by a new mapping policy update to route incoming traffic directly to the SDN appliance, minimizing data packet loss during the migration process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network traffic is migrated from VXLAN switch to SDN appliance, then SDN policies can be enforced on bare-metal devices, but data packet loss occurs during migration

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSDN policy enforcement capabilityVSAvoiddata packet delivery

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by installing an interim shadow mapping policy on virtual network hosts before completing the migration. This shadow mapping policy pre-configures the necessary routing information to redirect traffic to the SDN appliance, ensuring that packet forwarding paths are established in advance and preventing packet loss during the transition period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing an interim shadow mapping policy as a temporary mediator between the old VXLAN switch routing and the new SDN appliance routing. This shadow mapping acts as a bridge that allows smooth transition of traffic flow, enabling virtual network hosts to forward traffic to the SDN appliance while maintaining connectivity during the migration process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Extent of automation

If network routing is changed to use SDN appliance, then centralized policy control is improved, but data path downtime increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentralized SDN controlVSAvoiddata path downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-installing the interim shadow mapping policy on virtual network hosts before the actual traffic migration occurs. This advance configuration ensures that when traffic redirection is initiated, the necessary routing information is already in place, enabling rapid transition with minimal data path downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuity of useful action by using the interim shadow mapping policy to keep traffic flow continuous during migration. The shadow mapping policy ensures that packet forwarding continues without interruption as traffic is gradually redirected from the VXLAN switch to the SDN appliance, preventing downtime while maintaining centralized control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If mapping policy is updated to route traffic to SDN appliance, then policy enforcement capability is enhanced, but network connection stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSDN policy enforcementVSAvoidnetwork connection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by installing the interim shadow mapping policy before updating the main mapping policy. This preliminary configuration ensures that the network connection stability is maintained during the transition, as the shadow mapping provides a stable intermediate routing path while the main mapping policy is being updated to fully utilize the SDN appliance for policy enforcement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250337683A1System and Method for Minimizing Data Packet Loss During Traffic Migration to a Software Defined Networking (SDN) Appliance

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A method, computer program product, and computing system for processing a request to route network traffic between a virtual network device in a virtual network and a bare-metal electronic device using a software defined networking (SDN) appliance, where the virtual network device includes a virtual machine and an existing direct network connection with a Virtual extensible Local-Area Network (VXLAN) switch coupled to a bare-metal electronic device. An interim shadow mapping policy is installed on the virtual network device configuring the virtual network device to receive outgoing network traffic from a SDN appliance. Outgoing network traffic from the VXLAN switch is redirected to the SDN appliance. A new mapping policy update is installed on the virtual network device for routing incoming network traffic from the virtual network device to the SDN appliance.