Virtual Network Address Mapping for Gateway-Free Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in routing messages between virtual networks without the need for a gateway, particularly in environments where virtual nodes are not confined to physical boundaries, and globally unique public addresses are not published.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves mapping virtual addresses from one virtual network to another, using internal and external routing logic within the virtual networks to route messages directly between virtual nodes, eliminating the requirement for a gateway by utilizing lookup components, internal and external address routing information, and modifying messages to facilitate two-way communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a gateway with globally unique public address is used to route messages between virtual networks, then message routing between virtual networks is enabled, but device complexity and dependency on global unique addresses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessage routing capabilityVSAvoidgateway infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mapping component as an intermediary that translates virtual addresses between different virtual networks. Instead of requiring a gateway with global unique addresses, the mapping component sits between virtual networks and performs address translation, enabling communication while reducing the need for complex gateway infrastructure and global address management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates virtual copies of address routing functionality within each virtual network through mapping components. Rather than relying on a central gateway to handle all routing decisions, each virtual network has its own mapping component that maintains local routing information, eliminating the need for globally unique addresses and reducing central gateway dependency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If virtual nodes are not confined to physical boundaries, then network flexibility and virtualization capability are improved, but address routing and message delivery become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirtual network flexibilityVSAvoidaddress routing logic

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the address routing functionality into distributed mapping components within each virtual network. Instead of having complex centralized routing logic that must handle all virtual nodes across physical boundaries, the routing function is divided into local mapping components that handle address translation for their respective virtual networks, simplifying the overall routing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each virtual network's mapping component performs self-service by maintaining its own address mapping information and making autonomous routing decisions. The mapping components independently resolve virtual addresses to physical addresses without requiring complex external routing logic, enabling virtual nodes to communicate across physical boundaries while keeping routing logic manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If gateway infrastructure is eliminated, then device complexity and dependency on global unique addresses are reduced, but message routing between virtual networks must be accomplished through alternative mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegateway infrastructureVSAvoidrouting implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mapping component serves as an intermediary that replaces the gateway's routing function. It translates virtual addresses from one virtual network to another, enabling message routing without requiring a traditional gateway. This intermediary approach simplifies infrastructure while providing the necessary routing capability through address translation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent copies the essential routing functionality into mapping components that reside within each virtual network. Instead of relying on external gateway infrastructure, each virtual network has a local mapping component that replicates the address resolution capability, making routing implementation easier by distributing the functionality rather than concentrating it in complex gateway hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10225188B2Routing messages between virtual networks

Publication Date: 2019.03.05 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Routing messages between virtual networks using a mapping of virtual addresses from one virtual network to a virtual address of the other virtual network. Each virtual network has a valid set of virtual addresses, some of which being assigned to virtual nodes within the corresponding network. When a virtual network identifies a message to be sent, it identifies a destination for the message. Some destinations may be within the same virtual network and thus may be routed to virtual nodes within the virtual network. Other destinations may instead be mapped to a virtual address of another virtual network. In that case, routing information may also be obtained and the message may be dispatched to the virtual address of the other virtual network. This may be performed without the need for a gateway, which publishes a public address that is globally unique.