Multi-Path Routing in Virtual Edge Systems via State Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtualized network environments, multi-path routing is hindered by intermediate systems performing stateful functions, as each virtual edge system maintains independent state information, leading to bottlenecks and inconsistent handling of traffic.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to establish and manage state information across multiple virtual edge systems, allowing them to share and update state information bases, enabling coordinated handling of traffic and establishing connections through multi-path routing, even for stateful services like firewalls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple virtual edge systems are instantiated to handle network traffic, then the system capacity and routing flexibility are improved, but the state information management complexity increases and bottlenecks occur due to independent state maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the state information bases of multiple virtual edge systems into a shared, centralized state information base. This allows all virtual edge systems to access and update the same state information, eliminating the complexity of managing independent state bases while maintaining high system capacity through multi-path routing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a state information synchronization mechanism that acts as an intermediary between virtual edge systems and the centralized state information base. This mediator handles the complexity of state information distribution and synchronization, allowing virtual edge systems to focus on traffic handling while the intermediary manages state consistency across the system.
2Reliability
If intermediate systems perform stateful functions with independent state information, then connection security and stateful service functionality are improved, but multi-path routing capability deteriorates due to bottlenecks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the state information bases of multiple virtual edge systems into a single shared state information base. This merging maintains connection security by ensuring all systems have access to the same state information while enabling multi-path routing by allowing any virtual edge system to handle traffic for established connections without creating bottlenecks.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared state information base serves multiple virtual edge systems simultaneously, making it a universal resource that supports both stateful security functions and multi-path routing capability. This multi-functional approach allows the same state information infrastructure to support both connection security requirements and high-capacity routing flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If state information is maintained independently in each virtual edge system, then system autonomy and simplicity are improved, but traffic handling consistency deteriorates across multi-path routes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where virtual edge systems continuously synchronize their state information with the centralized state information base. This feedback loop ensures that all systems have consistent state information, maintaining traffic handling consistency across multi-path routes while preserving system autonomy through decentralized decision-making based on shared state.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized state information base acts as an intermediary that ensures consistency across all virtual edge systems. It mediates between the need for system autonomy and the requirement for consistent traffic handling by providing a single source of truth that all autonomous systems can reference and update, ensuring uniform state information across the distributed system.
Data Source
AI summary
The technology disclosed herein enables multi-path routing in virtual edge systems of a virtual network environment. In a particular embodiment, a method provides establishing a connection for a communication with a client outside of the virtual network environment through a first virtual edge system of a plurality of virtual edge systems. The method further provides generating state information about the connection that indicates properties of the connection with respect to the first virtual edge system and updating a state information base of the first virtual edge system with the state information. Also, the method provides transferring the state information to one or more other virtual edge systems of the plurality of virtual edge systems and updating respective state information bases of the one or more other virtual edge systems with the state information.