Virtual Cloud Hosting Through Software-Defined Network Exchanges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for connecting to cloud providers through private links are cumbersome, expensive, and inflexible, requiring significant capital investment and time for installation and maintenance of networking equipment, with switching between providers complicating the process and incurring additional costs.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing Cloud Points of Presence (PoPs) and Cloud Exchanges connected by high-performance fiber-optic cables, enabling customers to configure software-defined networks (SDNs) through virtual network devices, allowing quick and flexible connections to multiple cloud providers without direct installation, using network function virtualization (NFV) to instantiate and deploy virtual network controllers and gateways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If customers use private links to connect to cloud providers, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity and capital investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of networking functions (virtual network controllers, virtual gateways) that run on standard hardware instead of requiring specialized physical networking equipment. These virtual instances replicate the functionality of complex networking devices while running on commodity servers, thereby reducing device complexity and capital investment while maintaining connection reliability through software-defined networking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical mechanical networking equipment with software-based virtual networking functions. Instead of using dedicated hardware appliances for network control and gateway functions, the system uses virtualized software components that run on standard servers, eliminating the need for complex physical networking infrastructure while maintaining the same connectivity reliability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If customers install dedicated networking equipment for cloud connection, then connection stability is improved, but loss of time for installation and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures virtual networking functions and network policies in software, allowing network connections to be established rapidly through software provisioning rather than requiring physical equipment installation. The virtual network controllers and gateways are pre-built software components that can be deployed and configured automatically, eliminating the time-consuming process of installing and configuring physical networking hardware while maintaining connection stability through software-defined network policies.
3Reliability
If customers use traditional networking equipment for cloud connectivity, then connection security is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic, software-defined network configurations that allow flexible adjustment of network parameters, policies, and connectivity settings without requiring physical equipment changes. The virtual network controllers enable operators to dynamically modify network configurations, security policies, and routing rules through software interfaces, providing both strong security enforcement and operational flexibility that static hardware-based systems cannot achieve.
4Adaptability or versatility
If customers switch between cloud providers using private links, then service adaptability is improved, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates universal virtual networking components that can interface with multiple cloud providers through a standardized software interface. The virtual network controllers and gateways are designed to work with different cloud providers' APIs and protocols, allowing customers to switch between providers or use multiple providers simultaneously without requiring separate physical networking infrastructure for each provider, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining service adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A hosting system to facilitate a customer of an operator of the system to connect to a cloud provider, the system including: a first cloud exchange co-located with and connected to first cloud provider equipment; a second cloud exchange co-located with and connected to second cloud provider equipment, wherein the first cloud provider equipment and the second cloud provider equipment are of a same cloud provider but at different geographically spaced locations or the first cloud provider equipment is of a different cloud provider than that: of the second cloud provider equipment, and wherein the first cloud exchange is connected to the second cloud exchange; and a non-transitory computer readable medium including computer program instructions, the instructions configured to facilitate the configuration of a software-defined network including the first cloud exchange and/or second cloud exchange, wherein the network connects the customer to the first cloud provider equipment and/or the second cloud provider equipment.