Shared-IP Network Interface Card Routing for Multi-Host Services
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-host network interface card systems, the allocation of independent IP addresses to each host results in IP address shortages and complicates management and maintenance, hindering the implementation of active-active stateful services.
Innovation Solution
A network interface card management system that allows multiple hosts to share a single IP address, using virtual interface groups to distribute packets based on destination information and port numbers, and switches services between hosts when one host fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If independent IP addresses are allocated to each host in a multi-host network interface card system, then each host can independently communicate with external devices, but IP address resources are exhausted and management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple hosts into a single logical entity by allocating one shared IP address to the network interface card that serves multiple hosts. The NIC manages packet routing internally based on destination information, allowing multiple hosts to share the same IP address while maintaining independent communication capabilities. This combining approach resolves the contradiction by reducing IP address consumption from N addresses (one per host) to 1 shared address, while preserving communication reliability through intelligent packet distribution at the NIC level.
Solution Approach 2:
The network interface card acts as an intermediary between multiple hosts and the external network. Instead of each host directly requiring its own IP address, the NIC mediates communication by receiving packets, determining the appropriate host based on destination information and pre-configured correspondences, and forwarding packets accordingly. This intermediary role allows multiple hosts to share a single IP address while maintaining independent communication capabilities, resolving the contradiction between resource conservation and communication reliability.
2Reliability
If independent IP addresses are allocated to each host, then communication independence is maintained, but system management and maintenance become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the management of multiple IP addresses into a single shared IP address managed by the network interface card. Instead of requiring separate IP address configurations, routing tables, and firewall rules for each host, the system uses one shared IP address with the NIC handling internal packet distribution based on pre-configured destination information correspondences. This significantly simplifies management complexity while maintaining communication independence through the NIC's intelligent packet routing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the IP address management function from individual hosts and consolidates it at the network interface card level. The NIC takes on the responsibility of managing the shared IP address and making routing decisions based on destination information, freeing hosts from individual IP address configuration and management. This extraction reduces management complexity from O(N) configuration items to O(1) shared configuration, while maintaining communication independence through the NIC's packet distribution logic.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple hosts share a single IP address, then IP address resources are conserved and management is simplified, but service reliability during host failure needs to be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic service migration capability that allows the shared IP address to be reassigned from a failed host to a healthy host. When host failure is detected, the system dynamically updates the correspondence between the shared IP address and the new active host, ensuring service continuity. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by maintaining service reliability through automated failover while preserving IP address resource conservation through continued use of the single shared address.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements service migration capability that prepares for potential host failures by enabling seamless IP address reassignment to standby hosts. The system maintains the ability to quickly transfer the shared IP address binding from a failed host to a healthy host, ensuring service continuity without requiring pre-configured backup IP addresses. This beforehand cushioning approach resolves the contradiction by ensuring service reliability through rapid failover while maintaining IP address resource efficiency through single-address sharing.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
A network interface card management system is provided. Different IP addresses are allocated to device instances that belong to a same host, and a same IP address is allocated to device instances that belong to different hosts. Virtual interfaces that belong to different PCIe ports form a virtual interface group. When receiving a packet through a physical port, a network interface card obtains destination information by parsing the packet, determines the virtual interface group based on the destination information, and forwards the packet to a target virtual interface according to a packet distribution policy corresponding to the virtual interface group, so that the packet is forwarded to an associated device instance through the target virtual interface. IP addresses can be shared among different hosts, so that IP address resources are saved. In addition, the IP address is used at a system level instead of a single host level. In other words, a plurality of hosts share a same IP address, and the plurality of hosts externally provide a service as an entirety. This simplifies system management and operation and maintenance and improves system reliability.