Tunnel Bridge ARP Processing for Virtual Network Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cross-subnet communication in virtual networks overload network nodes by requiring them to handle both external and internal traffic, leading to increased load and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A communication processing method and apparatus that uses tunnel bridges, flow tables, and Software Defined Networking (SDN) controllers to route packets within virtual networks, allowing ARP requests to be processed locally and non-ARP packets to be tunnelled directly to their destinations, reducing the need for network node processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a network node is used to relay packets for cross-subnet communication, then communication between subnets is enabled, but the network node becomes overloaded with excessive traffic handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments traffic handling by separating ARP request processing from general packet forwarding. The tunnel bridge independently handles ARP requests using local flow tables, while only non-matching packets are forwarded to the network node. This segmentation prevents the network node from being overwhelmed by routine ARP traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The tunnel bridge acts as an intermediary between virtual machines and the network node. It intercepts packets, processes ARP requests locally, and only forwards necessary packets to the network node. This intermediary function protects the network node from excessive traffic while maintaining cross-subnet communication capability.
2Reliability
If all packets are processed by the network node, then routing decisions are centralized and consistent, but processing time and network node load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-computing and storing routing information in flow tables on the tunnel bridge. When packets arrive, the tunnel bridge can quickly match them against pre-computed flow entries without consulting the network node, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining routing consistency through centralized flow table management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic packet handling by matching packets against flow tables in real-time. Common packets (like ARP requests) are dynamically identified and handled locally by the tunnel bridge, while only exceptional packets are forwarded to the network node. This dynamic approach optimizes processing time based on packet type and routing requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a communication processing method and apparatus. A specific implementation of the method includes: receiving, through a tunnel bridge to a first physical machine, a packet sent from a virtual machine, the first physical machine being a host machine of the virtual machine; determining whether the packet is an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) request packet, and obtaining a destination address of the packet; if the packet is the ARP request packet and a destination address of the packet is not an address of a virtual machine in the first physical machine, writing a predetermined pseudo physical address into an ARP response and returning the ARP response; and if the packet is not the ARP request packet, sending the packet to a terminal associated with the destination address of the packet. This implementation reduces load of network nodes.