SDN Appliance Traffic 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 VXLAN switch to an 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 a VXLAN switch until the SDN appliance is fully configured, minimizing data packet loss during the migration process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network traffic routing is migrated from VXLAN switch to SDN appliance, then SDN policy enforcement capability is improved, but data packet loss occurs during migration

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSDN policy enforcement capabilityVSAvoiddata packet delivery reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by installing an interim shadow mapping policy on virtual network hosts before completing the migration. This shadow mapping policy is configured in advance to redirect outgoing traffic to the SDN appliance while maintaining existing connections with the VXLAN switch, ensuring that the migration path is prepared and tested before full切换 occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - the interim shadow mapping policy - that acts as a bridge between the VXLAN switch and SDN appliance during migration. This intermediary allows traffic to be gradually redirected through the SDN appliance while maintaining backup paths through the VXLAN switch, preventing complete packet loss if issues occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If all traffic is redirected to SDN appliance, then policy enforcement is improved, but connectivity interruption occurs during transition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolicy enforcement capabilityVSAvoidnetwork connectivity continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system configures the interim shadow mapping policy in advance on virtual network hosts, preparing the traffic redirection path before actual migration. This preliminary configuration ensures that when traffic redirection occurs, the path is already established and validated, minimizing connectivity interruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuity of useful action by keeping the existing VXLAN switch connections active during the migration process. The interim shadow mapping policy allows outgoing traffic to flow through the SDN appliance while incoming traffic continues to use the VXLAN switch, ensuring uninterrupted network connectivity throughout the transition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Loss of time

If migration is performed quickly, then migration time is reduced, but data packet loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemigration timeVSAvoiddata packet delivery reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary configuration of the shadow mapping policy and validates the migration path before executing the actual traffic redirection. This preliminary action reduces the need for corrective measures during migration, enabling faster completion with minimal packet loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The interim shadow mapping policy serves as an intermediary that enables controlled, rapid migration by providing a pre-configured fallback path. This allows the system to quickly redirect traffic to the SDN appliance while maintaining the ability to instantly revert to the VXLAN switch if packet loss occurs, thus achieving fast migration with high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4642002A1System and method for minimizing data packet loss during traffic migration to a software defined networking (SDN) appliance

Publication Date: 2025.10.29 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

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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.