Virtual IP Address Floating via Control Center Mediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cloud network technologies do not allow for IP address floating among Virtual Machines (VMs), limiting the use of high availability applications and software, such as Keepalived and Heartbeat, which require server switching capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for switching a virtual internet protocol (VIP) address in a cloud network, where a virtual switch sends an ARP mapping message to a control center to determine the master VM, allowing the control center to identify and notify VMs, enabling data forwarding to the master VM and facilitating IP address floating without modifying the relationship between master and backup VMs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a floating IP address is used in a physical network for server switching, then server switching capability is achieved, but the range is limited by the number of ports of physical servers (typically cannot exceed one hundred physical servers)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control center as an intermediary component between virtual switches and VMs. The control center receives ARP mapping messages from virtual switches, determines the master VM, and sends notification messages back. This intermediary architecture enables VIP address floating across a larger scale without being constrained by direct physical port connections, as the control center mediates the address mapping and communication between distributed components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the physical network mechanism with a virtualized system. Instead of relying on physical server ports and direct hardware connections, the system uses virtual switches, virtual machines, and software-based ARP mapping messages. This substitution of mechanical physical infrastructure with virtual software components enables the VIP address range to exceed the limitations of physical port quantities.
2Reliability
If IP address floating is implemented in a cloud network, then high availability applications can run, but the virtualization platform does not currently support IP floating among VMs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the IP floating functionality into distinct components: virtual switches that generate ARP mapping messages, a control center that processes these messages and determines master VMs, and VMs that receive notification messages. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, making IP floating capability achievable within the cloud network without requiring changes to the core virtualization platform architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having virtual switches proactively send ARP mapping messages to the control center to establish VIP address mappings before failures occur. The control center pre-determines master VMs and sends notification messages in advance, enabling the system to be prepared for high availability scenarios without requiring reactive modifications to the virtualization platform.
3Ease of operation
If existing high availability software like Keepalived and Heartbeat is used in a cloud network, then server switching functionality is achieved, but the software codes need to be modified because the virtualization platform does not allow IP floating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal control center that handles ARP mapping messages from multiple virtual switches and coordinates with various VMs. This control center acts as a universal intermediary that enables standard high availability software to function in the cloud network without requiring software-specific modifications, as the control center provides the necessary IP floating capability that keepsalived and Heartbeat rely upon.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for switching a virtual internet protocol (VIP) address are provided. In one implementation, the method may include sending to a control center of a VIP address system a first address resolution protocol (ARP) mapping message for mapping a VIP address to a VM address of a virtual machine (VM) of the VIP address system. The control center may be configured to determine the VM corresponding to the VM address as the master VM using the VIP address. The VIP address system may include one or more VMs connected to one or more virtual switches, the one or more VMs and one or more virtual switches being located in one or more hosts that are connected to the control center via a cloud network. The method may further include sending a notification message from the control center determining the master VM to a VM in the VIP address system.