Virtual Layer-3 Router for Hybrid Cloud Network Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid cloud networks face challenges in networking, particularly in connecting virtual machines across different locations, as existing VPN solutions introduce performance bottlenecks and require manual configuration, limiting flexibility and scalability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a virtual layer-3 router to connect multiple virtual layer-2 networks, allowing for user-configurable virtual networking that enables seamless communication between isolated virtual networks without the need for manual VPN tunnel setup, thereby improving scalability and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual VPN tunnel setup is used to connect virtual machines across different locations, then network isolation and security are maintained, but configuration complexity and administrative burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service network configuration where virtual machines automatically discover and establish connections through the virtual router without manual VPN tunnel setup. The virtual router autonomously manages routing tables and connection establishment, eliminating the need for administrators to manually configure VPN tunnels while maintaining network isolation and security.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual router acts as an intermediary device between isolated virtual networks, providing automated routing and connection management. Instead of requiring direct manual configuration between remote virtual machines, the virtual router mediates communications by automatically establishing routes and managing connectivity, thereby reducing configuration complexity while maintaining network isolation.
2Reliability
If traditional VPN solutions are used to connect hybrid cloud networks, then network security is maintained, but performance bottlenecks and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical VPN tunnel establishment process with a software-based virtual routing system. Instead of relying on heavy VPN protocols that create performance bottlenecks, the system uses virtual routers with automated routing tables to manage connections, achieving better performance while maintaining security through virtual network isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual routing system dynamically adjusts routes and connections based on real-time network conditions rather than relying on static VPN configurations. The virtual router automatically updates routing tables and optimizes data paths, enabling adaptive performance management that reduces latency and avoids the rigid performance constraints of traditional VPN solutions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fixed network infrastructure is used in hybrid cloud environments, then stability is maintained, but adaptability to dynamic resource allocation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual routing system provides dynamic adaptability by automatically adjusting routing configurations in response to changing resource allocation in hybrid cloud environments. When virtual machines are provisioned, migrated, or terminated, the virtual router dynamically updates routing tables to reflect current network topology, maintaining both stability through consistent routing policies and adaptability through automated reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the virtual router continuously monitors network conditions and resource allocation changes. This feedback enables the routing system to automatically adapt to dynamic cloud resource provisioning while maintaining stable network operations, as the router uses real-time information to adjust routes and connections without requiring manual intervention.
4Reliability
If centralized network management is used in cloud environments, then control and security are improved, but system scalability and flexibility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network management into distributed virtual routers that operate autonomously while maintaining overall security control. Each virtual router independently manages its own routing decisions and connections, enabling local scalability and flexibility. The segmentation allows the system to scale horizontally by adding more virtual routers without requiring centralized management intervention, while security control is maintained through virtual network isolation policies.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual routers perform self-service management by automatically discovering networks, establishing connections, and updating routing tables without requiring centralized administration. This self-service capability enables rapid system scalability and flexibility as virtual machines are provisioned or migrated, while security is maintained through automated enforcement of virtual network isolation policies that each router executes independently.
Data Source
AI summary
A layer-3 virtual router connects two or more virtual networks. Virtual networks are overlaid upon physical networks. Each virtual network (VN) is a layer-2 network that appears to expand an organization's LAN using virtual MAC addresses. The network stack forms a virtual-network packet with a virtual gateway MAC address of the virtual router to reach a remote virtual network. A VN device driver shim intercepts packets and their virtual MAC and IP addresses and encapsulates them with physical packets sent over the Internet. A VN switch table is expanded to include entries for nodes on the remote virtual network so that all nodes on both virtual networks are accessible. A copy of the VN switch table is stored on each node by a virtual network management daemon on the node. A Time-To-Live field in the virtual-network packet is decremented for each virtual hop and a checksum recalculated.