Spanned Distributed Virtual Switch Centralized Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Distributed virtual switches do not function as a single switch across multiple virtualization platforms, requiring independent management, which increases administrative burden and costs due to the need for configuring multiple individual switches.
Innovation Solution
A spanned distributed virtual switch is created by synchronizing network configuration information across multiple virtualization platforms using a distributed virtual switch management module, which initializes and maintains consistent port numbers and configuration files, allowing centralized management of network switch operations across platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If distributed virtual switches are managed independently across multiple virtualization platforms, then each platform can maintain its own network configuration, but the administrative burden and management costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple distributed virtual switches across different virtualization platforms into a unified management structure. Configuration files from multiple platforms are synchronized to maintain consistent network settings, allowing administrators to manage switches as a single entity rather than separate independent systems
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal configuration management system that works across multiple virtualization platforms simultaneously. A single configuration file can be synchronized across different platforms, enabling one management approach to serve multiple functions and platforms
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individual distributed virtual switches are configured separately, then each switch can be optimized for its specific platform, but the time and cost of managing virtualization resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary synchronization of configuration files before administrative actions are performed. Configuration changes are prepared and synchronized across platforms in advance, reducing the time required for actual management operations and improving overall productivity
3Ease of operation
If configuration files are synchronized across virtualization platforms, then centralized management is achieved, but the complexity of maintaining synchronization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses configuration file copying and synchronization mechanisms where a master configuration file is replicated across multiple virtualization platforms. This approach simplifies centralized management by maintaining identical copies of configuration data across systems without requiring complex real-time coordination
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for centralized management of network switch operations across multiple virtualization platforms via a “spanned distributed virtual switch.” These techniques generally include creating a distributed virtual switch for each virtual platform that participates in the spanned distributed virtual switch, configuring each such distributed virtual switch with a mutually exclusive set of ports, configuring each distributed virtual switch with network configuration information for associated sets of ports, and synchronizing the network configuration information across distributed virtual switches. When configuration information changes in one distributed virtual switch, those changes are synchronized across other distributed virtual switches that participate in the spanned distributed virtual switch. A computer system, method, and computer-readable medium are provided herein.