Virtual IP Address Redundancy Across Subnets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication network redundancy solutions fail to provide seamless failover between servers located in different subnets without requiring modifications to client/server applications or additional network devices.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a public virtual IP address associated with a sub-network different from the sub-networks of the primary and secondary nodes, with routing instructions dynamically directing communication to the active node, allowing seamless service access without additional programming or network devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two different IP addresses are used for primary and secondary servers, then redundancy is provided, but client/server applications must be modified to facilitate using two different IP addresses

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveredundancyVSAvoidapplication modification

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a virtual IP address as an intermediary between clients and physical servers. This virtual address serves as a mediator that abstracts the underlying physical server identity, allowing clients to access services without needing to know or be configured with multiple physical IP addresses. The virtual IP dynamically maps to the active physical server, providing redundancy while maintaining application simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If VPN equipment is used to connect secondary server to primary server's LAN, then servers can be on the same subnet, but servers cannot be located at different locations for operational or security reasons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveserver connectivityVSAvoidserver location flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the location constraint by introducing a network address dimension - the virtual IP address space. Servers can physically be located in different subnets or locations (spatial dimension), while the virtual IP address provides a unified access point (address dimension). This dimensional separation allows servers to be geographically distributed while maintaining seamless connectivity through the virtual addressing layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a public virtual IP address is used that belongs to a different sub-network, then seamless service access is enabled across different subnets, but routing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-subnet accessVSAvoidrouting configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual IP address is configured with multi-functionality to operate across different network subnets. Instead of requiring separate routing configurations for each subnet, the virtual IP serves universally as the access point for all clients regardless of their location. The routing system is designed to handle this universal address by dynamically resolving it to the appropriate physical server, eliminating the need for complex per-subnet routing rules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2263366B1Spatial clustering

Publication Date: 2011.11.16 AASTRA TELECOM SCHWEIZ AG

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AI summary

A method for providing redundancy within a communication network, the method provides means for using the same IP address with a plurality of hosts located in different subnets, non-simultaneously, without requiring any additional programming for routers in the network.