Serial Clustering Network Devices for Traffic Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network acceleration appliances face limitations in processing network traffic, leading to increased complexity when splitting traffic across multiple devices, and there is no straightforward method to easily scale capacity without introducing undesirable network complexities.
Innovation Solution
Serial clustering connects network devices in series, allowing excess traffic to be processed by subsequent devices with available capacity, using rules to manage traffic distribution and handle auto-discovery messages, ensuring efficient load balancing and capacity utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If network traffic is split into parallel data flows across multiple intercepting network devices, then network traffic capacity is increased, but network complexity increases and requires accurate traffic predictions and even load distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network traffic handling across multiple intercepting network devices connected in series. Each device handles a portion of the traffic flow, with devices passing traffic to subsequent devices in the chain. This segmentation allows capacity scaling while maintaining simpler individual device configurations compared to complex parallel load balancing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where intercepting network devices communicate through a standardized interface protocol. This intermediary communication layer simplifies traffic distribution by providing automatic traffic passing between devices in series, eliminating the need for complex external load balancing predictions and distributions.
2Device complexity
If a single network acceleration appliance is used, then network traffic processing is simplified, but processing capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple intercepting network devices into a series chain that functions as a unified processing system. Devices are connected in series where each device processes and passes traffic to the next, creating a combined processing capacity that exceeds any single device while maintaining configuration simplicity through standardized inter-device communication.
3Productivity
If intercepting network devices are added to increase capacity, then network traffic handling capability is improved, but deployment and configuration difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic traffic distribution where intercepting network devices automatically adapt to traffic flow conditions. Devices in the series chain dynamically pass traffic based on current load conditions without requiring manual configuration changes, enabling easy deployment and scaling of capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables intercepting network devices to self-configure and self-manage traffic distribution within the series chain. Each device automatically determines how to handle and pass traffic based on standardized protocols, eliminating the need for complex manual configuration and deployment procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
Serial clustering uses two or more network devices connected in series via a local and/or wide-area network to provide additional capacity when network traffic exceeds the processing capabilities of a single network device. When a first network device reaches its capacity limit, any excess network traffic beyond that limit is passed through the first network device unchanged. A network device connected in series with the first network device intercepts and will process the excess network traffic provided that it has sufficient processing capacity. Additional network devices can process remaining network traffic in a similar manner until all of the excess network traffic has been processed or until there are no more additional network devices. Network devices may use rules to determine how to handle network traffic. Rules may be based on the attributes of received network packets, attributes of the network device, or attributes of the network.