Serverless Packet Processing Nodes for Isolated Virtual Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packet processing services in provider networks face challenges in efficiently managing high volumes of traffic and enforcing security settings across isolated virtual networks, often requiring manual provisioning and integration of security and routing rules, which can lead to complexity and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A server-less packet processing service that dynamically provisions and programs nodes for packet processing operations within isolated virtual networks, using fast-path and slower-path nodes to handle traffic efficiently and automatically enforce security and routing rules, allowing for scalable and secure packet processing without explicit client intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual provisioning and integration of security and routing rules is used, then customization and control are improved, but device complexity and administrative overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically provisions and configures packet processing nodes based on received traffic, without requiring manual administrative intervention. The control plane component autonomously monitors traffic patterns, determines when new nodes are needed, and performs configuration tasks, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring external manual management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures packet processing nodes with necessary security and routing rules before they are activated. The control plane component prepares configuration templates and rule sets in advance, so when traffic requires new processing capacity, nodes can be rapidly deployed with pre-prepared configurations rather than requiring manual setup at deployment time.
2Productivity
If dynamic provisioning of packet processing nodes is implemented, then productivity and scalability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The packet processing service is divided into distinct functional components: a control plane component that manages provisioning and configuration, and data plane nodes that perform actual packet processing. This segmentation allows the control plane to handle complex provisioning logic centrally while keeping individual data plane nodes relatively simple and focused on their core processing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The control plane component performs multiple functions including monitoring traffic patterns, determining provisioning needs, configuring new nodes, and managing the overall packet processing service. This multi-functionality consolidates complexity into a single management component rather than distributing it across multiple specialized systems.
3Speed
If fast-path and slower-path nodes are used, then speed of packet processing is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different packet processing nodes are assigned different operational characteristics: fast-path nodes are optimized for high-speed processing of routine traffic with simplified rule evaluation, while slower-path nodes handle complex security inspections and unusual traffic patterns. Each node type has quality optimized for its specific function rather than attempting to excel at all tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies full security inspection rules only when necessary (for slower-path nodes handling suspicious or complex traffic), while allowing fast-path nodes to use simplified rules for routine traffic. This partial application of complex rules only where needed maintains high speed for the majority of traffic while providing thorough inspection where required.
Data Source
AI summary
A representation of packet processing operations is obtained from a client of a provider network. A set of packet processing nodes is configured at a premise external to the provider network, and the representation is transmitted to the premise. In response to a reception of a network packet, the set of packet processing nodes perform the packet processing operations at the external premise.