Multi-cloud Connectivity via SRv6 and BGP
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Solution Overview
Problem
The lack of uniformity in toolsets, architectures, and APIs among different cloud providers and regions complicates the deployment and maintenance of virtual private clouds, making it difficult to establish and manage connectivity between various cloud providers or regions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of SRv6 and BGP enables efficient multi-cloud connectivity by deploying a new virtual router, registering it with a BGP controller, and using segment routing identifiers and policies to provide interconnectivity between private networks and virtual private clouds across different cloud environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional cloud connectivity methods are used, then cloud providers can offer services, but the lack of uniformity in toolsets, architectures, and APIs creates significant challenges for deploying and maintaining virtual private clouds across different cloud providers and regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces SRv6 (Segment Routing over IPv6) and BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) as intermediary mechanisms that mediate between different cloud providers and regions. These standardized protocols act as universal translators that enable connectivity across heterogeneous cloud environments without requiring direct integration of each cloud provider's specific tools and APIs, thereby reducing configuration complexity while maintaining cross-cloud adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal routing framework using SRv6 and BGP that can operate across multiple cloud providers and regions simultaneously. This universal approach allows the same routing mechanism to handle diverse cloud environments (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, etc.) and regions without requiring provider-specific configurations, thereby simplifying deployment and maintenance while enhancing cross-cloud versatility
2Reliability
If specific network devices or dedicated infrastructure are used to establish connectivity between clouds, then connectivity can be established, but the process becomes extremely difficult and requires time-consuming configuration efforts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical configuration processes with automated protocol-based connectivity establishment. Instead of manual configuration of network devices and dedicated infrastructure, the system uses SRv6 and BGP protocols to automatically discover, authenticate, and establish routing paths between cloud providers and regions, thereby reducing configuration time while maintaining reliable connectivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary actions through pre-configured routing policies and SRv6 segment identifiers that are established before actual traffic flow. The BGP protocols pre-establish routing tables and path information, allowing connectivity to be rapidly activated without time-consuming on-demand configuration, thus reducing the time required to establish connectivity while ensuring reliable routing
3Productivity
If cloud providers use their own specific routing protocols and infrastructure, then they can optimize their internal networks, but it creates silos that prevent easy interconnectivity between different cloud providers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the routing function into two distinct parts: internal routing optimization (handled by each cloud provider's proprietary protocols within their own networks) and external inter-cloud routing (handled by standardized SRv6 and BGP protocols). This segmentation allows each cloud provider to maintain optimized internal networks while using a universal external interface for interconnectivity, thereby preserving both internal optimization capabilities and external adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
SRv6 and BGP serve as intermediary protocols that translate between different cloud providers' internal routing mechanisms and a universal inter-cloud communication standard. This intermediary layer enables each cloud provider to continue using their optimized internal routing protocols while maintaining compatibility and interoperability with other providers through the standardized SRv6/BGP interface, thus resolving the contradiction between internal optimization and external adaptability
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for providing multi-cloud connectivity. A method can involve adding a new virtual private cloud (VPC) to a multi-cloud environment including a private network and VPCs connected to the private network via a segment routing (SR) domain and respective virtual routers on the VPCs and the private network. The method can involve deploying a new virtual router on the new VPC, registering the new virtual router at a BGP controller in the multi-cloud environment, and receiving, at the BGP controller, topology information from the new virtual router. The method can further involve identifying routes in the multi-cloud environment based on paths computed based on the topology information, sending, to the new virtual router, routing information including the routes, SR identifiers and SR policies, and based on the routing information, providing interconnectivity between the private network, the VPCs, and the new VPC.