Virtual Gateway Router for Data Center Network Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in connecting virtual machines across virtual and external networks efficiently, lacking flexibility and cost-effectiveness in providing network services and data isolation.
Innovation Solution
A software facility that establishes and operates a virtual data center with virtual gateway routers, allowing users to specify network characteristics, instantiate virtual machines, and configure networking components, providing services like DHCP, DNS, and firewall services, using commodity hardware and open-source operating systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If virtual machines are connected across virtual and external networks using existing technologies, then network connectivity is achieved, but flexibility and cost-effectiveness in providing network services deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual gateway router is designed to perform multiple network services (DHCP, DNS, firewall, routing) within a single virtual machine instance, allowing one system to serve multiple functions that previously required separate dedicated systems, thereby improving flexibility while managing complexity
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional network service provision is used, then basic connectivity is provided, but cost-effectiveness and ease of deployment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual gateway router is pre-configured with necessary networking components and services before deployment, allowing for rapid instantiation and deployment of complete network service stacks without requiring complex post-installation configuration, thereby improving both ease of deployment and deployment efficiency
3Reliability
If multiple virtual networks are operated separately, then data isolation is achieved, but efficiency of data exchange deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual gateway router acts as an intermediary system that manages and controls data exchange between isolated virtual networks, providing secure and efficient routing capabilities that maintain data isolation while enabling controlled communication between networks, thereby resolving the contradiction between isolation and exchange efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A facility for configuring a virtual data center is described. A user such as an administrator uses a management interface to input information specifying a configuration for a virtual data center including virtual network nodes and virtual routers. In response, the facility instantiates each virtual network router needed for the configuration, such as by, for each, instantiating on commodity hardware a virtual machine running a general-purpose operating system used to provide routing services to the virtual network nodes.