Load Balancing Fragmented Tunnel Frames via Inner IP Header Reassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional load-balancing systems in computer networks struggle with fragmented tunneled traffic, as they lack access to the inner IP header, leading to degraded functionality and improper forwarding of non-first fragments, especially in scenarios where Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) restrictions are present.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that reassembles fragmented tunnel frames to determine the inner IP header, applies traffic policies based on this header, and inserts metadata into subsequent frames to maintain flow affinity and ensure proper load balancing across network paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If load balancing is performed based on the inner IP header in tunneled connections, then load balancing accuracy is improved, but the system cannot properly handle fragmented packets because the inner IP header is not available on subsequent fragments
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary reassembly of fragmented packets to reconstruct the complete inner IP header before load balancing decisions are made. This preliminary action ensures that the inner IP header information is available for accurate load balancing while maintaining reliable packet forwarding, as the reassembly process recovers the header data that would otherwise be lost in fragmented packets
2Adaptability or versatility
If packet fragmentation is used to handle MTU restrictions, then network adaptability is improved, but the inner IP header becomes unavailable on subsequent fragments making load balancing impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary reassembly process that acts as a mediator between fragmented packets and load balancing functions. This intermediary recovers the inner IP header information from fragmented packets by reassembling them, thereby preventing information loss while maintaining network adaptability through fragmentation handling
3Ease of operation
If conventional load balancers only recreate the outer IP header on fragmented frames, then processing simplicity is maintained, but functionality is degraded because the full packet information is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary reassembly of fragmented packets to reconstruct the complete inner IP header before load balancing decisions are made. This preliminary action ensures that the inner IP header information is available for accurate load balancing while maintaining reliable packet forwarding, as the reassembly process recovers the header data that would otherwise be lost in fragmented packets
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A method and system for load balancing are provided. The method includes: receiving a tunnel frame from a traffic flow; determining whether the tunnel frame is one of a plurality of frames from a packet; if the frame is one of a plurality of frames, reassembling the plurality of frames associated with the packet to determine an inner IP header; load balancing the packet based on the inner IP header; and applying traffic policies to the packet. The system has: a traffic interface configured to receive a tunnel frame from the traffic flow; a subscriber load balancer configured to determine whether the tunnel frame is one of a plurality of frames from a packet; at least one IP reassembly engine configured to reassemble the plurality of frames associated with the packet to determine an inner IP header; and at least one flow policy engine configured to load balance the packet based on the inner IP header; and apply traffic policies to the packet.