Virtual IP Address Management for Service Clusters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently managing access to service clusters, particularly in configuring and updating IP addresses across multiple devices, which can be time-intensive and error-prone.
Innovation Solution
A system that manages access to a service cluster by dynamically allocating a virtual IP address and selecting a hosting node based on set criteria, allowing for efficient service request forwarding and high availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a service cluster includes a large number of devices with respective IP addresses, then the service cluster can serve a large number of clients, but the configuration and update of IP addresses becomes time-intensive and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual IP address as an intermediary between clients and the actual service devices. The virtual IP address serves as a single point of contact that abstracts away the multiple physical IP addresses of cluster devices. When clients communicate with the virtual IP, the system dynamically routes requests to appropriate physical devices, eliminating the need for clients to configure multiple IP addresses and simplifying IP management.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual IP address functions as a universal access point that can route to multiple different physical devices within the service cluster. A single virtual IP address can serve multiple purposes: it can be assigned to different physical devices based on load, availability, and service type, providing a universal interface that handles diverse client requests without requiring separate configuration for each physical device.
2Reliability
If IP address changes are propagated to client devices, then the configuration remains accurate, but the process becomes time-intensive and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual IP address acts as a stable intermediary that absorbs changes in the physical IP address assignments. When physical device IP addresses change or devices are added/removed from the cluster, only the internal routing tables need updating, not the client configurations. The virtual IP remains constant, providing a reliable interface that insulates clients from backend changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual representation (virtual IP address) that copies the access function of physical IP addresses but decouples it from specific physical devices. This virtual copy can be dynamically reassigned to different physical devices without affecting the client's ability to access services, as clients continue to use the same virtual IP address.
3Ease of operation
If each device in the service cluster is configured with respective IP addresses, then direct device access is enabled, but the system complexity increases with cluster size
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual IP address serves as an intermediary layer that simplifies access management. Instead of clients needing to manage multiple physical IP addresses, they interact with a single virtual IP that the system translates to the appropriate physical device. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of device-to-device IP mapping from clients while maintaining direct access capability through automated routing.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that can manage access to a service from a cluster of computing nodes. An instance of the system can operate on a respective computing node. During operation, the system instance can identify an Internet Protocol (IP) address, which provides access to the service from the cluster of computing nodes to a client device at a client site. The system instance can select the computing node for hosting the IP address in the cluster of computing nodes based on a set of selection criteria. The selection is performed independently at the computing node. The system instance can then assign the IP address to the computing node. The assignment allows a request for the service to be directed to the computing node. Subsequently, the system instance can facilitate the service from the cluster of computing nodes based on the request.