Disaggregated Network Services in SDN via Hardware Offload

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cloud network architectures face inefficiencies due to the performance of networking services by host servers via virtual machines, leading to communication bottlenecks, high latency, and resource wastage, particularly in software-based processing, which limits network bandwidth and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

Disaggregating networking services from virtual machines to hardware-based network devices such as SmartNICs or SDN appliances, allowing these devices to perform networking functions independently without software-based processing, thereby reducing latency and resource consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If networking services are performed by host servers via virtual machines, then service flexibility and ease of management are improved, but communication bottlenecks and latency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice management flexibilityVSAvoidnetwork latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments networking services into two parts: control plane functions remain on host servers for easy management, while data plane functions are offloaded to hardware-based network devices for high-speed processing. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing flexible management of control functions while achieving low-latency data processing through hardware acceleration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces hardware-based network devices as intermediaries between virtual machines and the physical network. These devices act as mediators that handle packet forwarding and networking services at line rate, eliminating the performance bottleneck of software-based processing while maintaining SDN-controlled service flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If networking services are performed by host servers via virtual machines, then service configurability is improved, but network bandwidth and computing resources are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice configurabilityVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments networking services into control plane functions (remaining on host servers for configurability) and data plane functions (offloaded to hardware devices for bandwidth efficiency). This allows complex networking services to be configured flexibly through software while being executed at high speed by hardware, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces software-based networking service execution with hardware-based execution for data plane functions. This substitution of mechanical/software processing with hardware processing achieves line-rate packet forwarding while maintaining service configurability through SDN control, resolving the bandwidth efficiency contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If networking services are performed by host servers via virtual machines, then implementation simplicity is improved, but resource costs and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments networking service functions between host servers and hardware-based network devices. Complex packet processing and networking service execution are moved to dedicated hardware devices, reducing the computational burden on host servers and lowering overall power consumption while maintaining implementation simplicity through standardized hardware interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables hardware-based network devices to autonomously perform packet processing and networking service execution without requiring continuous software intervention. This self-service capability reduces the computational overhead on host servers and decreases power consumption while maintaining service flexibility through SDN programming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20240356851A1Disaggregation of network services to hardware-based network devices in software defined networks

Publication Date: 2024.10.24 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Techniques are disclosed for processing data packets and implementing policies in a software defined network (SDN) of a virtual computing environment. A plurality of computing nodes are communicatively coupled to network devices. The network devices are configured to enable communications between virtual machines within a virtual network of the virtual computing environment in accordance with associated policies. The network devices and the processing function are disaggregated from dependencies on particular computing nodes that are hosting the virtual machines.