Virtual Device Context Integration for Network Service Nodes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network technologies face challenges in efficiently managing and configuring virtual device contexts (VDCs) on network switches, particularly in integrating service nodes with limited physical ports, leading to complex configurations and limitations in data traffic processing and resource sharing.
Innovation Solution
Extending the VDC configuration to include a partition on a service node associated with a virtualized network switch, enabling the network switch to manage both the switch and service node resources, and allowing or preventing cross-VDC traffic through a management application that allocates physical ports and manages data traffic between switches and service nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If service nodes are integrated with network switches to enable resource sharing and simplified management, then configuration and management complexity is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to the need to manage both switch and service node resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the management of network switches and service nodes by extending the VDC configuration to include both devices. The management application consolidates control, allowing administrators to manage switch and service node resources through a unified interface, thereby reducing configuration and management complexity despite the increased device integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The VDC configuration is designed to be universal, serving both network switches and service nodes. The management application provides multi-functional capabilities to allocate physical ports and manage data traffic across different device types, enabling a single configuration framework to handle diverse resources without increasing operational complexity.
2Productivity
If physical ports are allocated to multiple VDCs to improve resource utilization, then resource sharing efficiency increases, but the complexity of managing port allocations and traffic policies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic port allocation where physical ports can be flexibly assigned to different VDCs based on traffic requirements. The management application automatically manages port allocation and traffic policies, adapting to changing network conditions without requiring manual reconfiguration, thus improving resource utilization while keeping management complexity manageable through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The management application incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor port usage and traffic patterns across multiple VDCs. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts port allocations and traffic policies to optimize resource utilization, reducing the need for manual intervention and simplifying the management of complex multi-VDC configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If service nodes with limited physical ports are integrated into VDCs, then the number of manageable VDCs increases, but the availability of physical ports per VDC decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces virtual port concepts as intermediaries between service nodes and VDCs. Instead of requiring direct physical port connections for each VDC, the management application creates virtual interfaces that allow multiple VDCs to share limited physical ports on service nodes. This abstraction layer enables a higher number of manageable VDCs while efficiently utilizing the constrained physical port resources through virtualization and port aggregation techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are provided for virtual device context (VDC) integration for network services. VDC integration for network services generally includes mapping a virtual switch, physical ports on the network switch assigned to the virtual switch, a service node and a physical port on a service node to share a common VDC associated with a configuration of the virtual switch. In this manner, the VDC concept is extended to the service node and the network may be easily managed, with a network switch and associated service nodes configured through a single processing system on the network switch or service node.