Virtual Network Appliance Failure Detection via Hypervisor Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increased complexity in network management due to virtualization in Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) environments makes it challenging to effectively detect and handle failures in virtual network appliances, as conventional methods may not adequately verify the operational status of virtual appliances and fail to reroute packets efficiently in case of failures.
Innovation Solution
A system architecture that includes a hypervisor, virtual machines, and virtual network appliances, utilizing a challenge/response scheme to directly verify the operational status of virtual appliances and reconfigure packet flows through a network controller, allowing for fail-to-wire, fail-to-block, and fail-to-alternative scenarios to ensure network resilience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If virtualization is implemented in SDN and NFV environments, then network flexibility and resource utilization are improved, but network management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through automated failure detection and handling mechanisms. The virtual network appliance monitors its own operational status and automatically triggers failure handling procedures without requiring manual intervention, thereby reducing management complexity while maintaining flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the virtual network appliance continuously reports its operational status to the hypervisor. This feedback loop enables real-time detection of failures and automatic initiation of recovery procedures, simplifying management while preserving network flexibility
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional failure detection methods are used for virtual network appliances, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but detection accuracy and reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring appliance operational status and pre-configuring failure handling procedures. When a failure is detected, the recovery process is already prepared and can be executed immediately, ensuring both accurate detection and reliable recovery without complex implementation
Solution Approach 2:
The hypervisor serves as an intermediary between the virtual network appliance and the failure detection mechanism. It receives status information from the appliance, processes failure conditions, and coordinates recovery actions, thereby achieving reliable detection while maintaining implementation simplicity through a centralized coordination approach
3Productivity
If virtual network appliances are deployed without robust failure handling, then deployment speed and flexibility are improved, but network resilience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements preliminary action by pre-configuring failure handling procedures and recovery paths before failures occur. This allows rapid deployment of virtual network appliances with built-in resilience mechanisms, enabling quick recovery from failures without slowing down the deployment process
Solution Approach 2:
The failure handling system is dynamic, allowing the network to adapt its routing and resource allocation in real-time based on appliance operational status. This dynamic response enables the network to maintain resilience while preserving deployment speed through automated and flexible recovery mechanisms
4Measurement precision
If manual monitoring and management of virtual network appliances is performed, then control precision is maintained, but management time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual network appliance performs self-monitoring of its operational status and automatically communicates with the hypervisor. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual monitoring while maintaining precise control over appliance status, significantly reducing management time without sacrificing measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where the appliance automatically reports its status to the hypervisor. This automated feedback mechanism provides precise operational status verification while eliminating manual monitoring tasks, thereby reducing management time and operational complexity
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a method is implemented on a host platform on which a hypervisor (aka Virtual Machine Manager) and a plurality of virtual machines (VMs) are running, the plurality of VMs collectively hosting a plurality of Software Defined Networking (SDN) and/or Network Function Virtualization (NFV) appliances that are communicatively coupled via a virtual network. A software-based entity running on the host platform is configured to monitor the plurality of virtual network appliances to detect failures of the virtual network appliances. In response to detection of a virtual network appliance failure, messages containing configuration information are implemented to reconfigure packet flows to bypass the virtual network appliance that has failed.