Virtual Dataplane DHCP Server Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing DHCP servers are slow, leading to bottlenecks in network performance, especially in high-traffic public venues, and inefficient IP address management, resulting in wasted IP addresses and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A virtual dataplane with virtual machines processes DHCP data flows without using an operating-system kernel, separating DHCP data flows from others, and dynamically manages IP addresses using hash tables to avoid collisions and free up unused addresses, thereby improving network communication performance and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a traditional DHCP server is used, then IP address management is provided, but the processing speed is slow causing network bottlenecks

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDHCP processing speedVSAvoidIP address assignment delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the DHCP server functionality into multiple virtual machines within a virtual dataplane architecture. Each virtual machine handles specific DHCP tasks (DHCP relay, DHCP server, DHCP client) independently, allowing parallel processing of DHCP requests and significantly improving processing speed while reducing bottlenecks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a virtual dataplane as an intermediary layer between the physical network infrastructure and the DHCP services. This virtual dataplane provides a dedicated processing environment that isolates DHCP traffic from other network operations, enabling faster and more efficient IP address management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a dedicated hardware appliance DHCP server is used, then high performance is achieved, but cost and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDHCP server performanceVSAvoidHardware infrastructure requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple DHCP server functionalities (DHCP relay, DHCP server, DHCP client) into a single unified platform using virtual machines. This consolidation provides high-performance DHCP services without requiring separate dedicated hardware appliances, thereby reducing cost and space requirements while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual dataplane platform provides multi-functionality by hosting multiple virtual machines that can perform different DHCP roles simultaneously. This universal platform replaces the need for specialized hardware appliances for each DHCP function, achieving high performance with reduced device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a Linux socket/kernel based DHCP server is used, then flexibility is maintained, but processing speed decreases due to handling other applications and interrupts

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDHCP server flexibilityVSAvoidIP address processing throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments DHCP processing into dedicated virtual machines that handle only DHCP-related tasks, separating them from other applications and system interrupts. This segmentation maintains the flexibility of software-based DHCP servers while dramatically improving processing throughput by eliminating interference from other system operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual dataplane acts as an intermediary that creates a dedicated processing environment for DHCP operations. This isolation allows the DHCP virtual machines to process IP addresses at high speed without being affected by other applications or system interrupts, while still maintaining the adaptability of software-based solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11088988B2Virtual-machine dataplane with DHCP-server functionality

Publication Date: 2021.08.10 RUCKUS IP HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

In order to provide efficient processing of Dynamic Host Control Protocol (DHCP) data flows and dynamic Internet Protocol (IP) address management, an electronic device that implements a virtual dataplane in a network may separate the DHCP data flows from other data flows. Then, the virtual dataplane may perform IP address management using one or more applications that are executed by a processor in the electronic device. In order to accelerate processing of a sequence of packets in a DHCP data flow to a destination, the virtual dataplane may look up a stored result of a look-up operation for a first packet in the sequence, so that subsequent packets in the sequence use the stored result without performing the look-up operation. Furthermore, the IP address management may include dynamically freeing up IP addresses in the network based on network activity of client devices.