Virtual Network Identification Using Local Switch IDs
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cloud infrastructure is limited by the 'wall of VLAN' to a maximum of 4094 manageable virtual networks, which restricts efficient operations and requires multiple cloud infrastructures to be connected.
Innovation Solution
A communication system that includes virtual machine servers, a virtual network management apparatus, and a switch control apparatus, where local identification information unique to each virtual switch is generated and used as a VLAN ID, allowing the virtual network management apparatus to instruct the switch control apparatus for efficient packet forwarding and network control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If VLAN ID is used to identify virtual networks, then virtual network isolation and management are achieved, but the maximum number of manageable virtual networks is limited to 4094
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the virtual network identification system into two parts: a 12-bit VLAN ID field (providing 4096 values) and a 32-bit virtual switch identifier field. This segmentation allows the system to overcome the VLAN ID limitation by combining multiple identification fields, enabling support for a much larger number of virtual networks while maintaining the isolation benefits of VLAN IDs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds another dimension to the identification space by introducing virtual switch identifiers as a separate field. Instead of relying solely on the 12-bit VLAN ID dimension, the system creates a two-dimensional identification space (VLAN ID × virtual switch ID), exponentially increasing the total number of distinguishable virtual networks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cloud infrastructures are connected to increase virtual network capacity, then the number of manageable virtual networks increases, but system complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal identification mechanism that works across a single cloud infrastructure without requiring multiple connected infrastructures. The combination of VLAN IDs and virtual switch identifiers provides a unified approach to identifying virtual networks throughout the entire system, simplifying management and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual switch identifier acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the limited VLAN ID space and the need for extensive virtual network identification. By introducing this intermediate identification layer, the system can manage a large number of virtual networks without requiring complex multi-infrastructure connections.
3Ease of operation
If VLAN ID is allocated uniquely in the whole system, then virtual network identification is simplified, but the maximum number of virtual networks is restricted to 4094
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identification responsibility between two fields: VLAN IDs continue to provide simplified identification within their scope, while virtual switch identifiers extend the total capacity. This segmentation maintains the ease of operation benefits of VLAN IDs while overcoming their numerical limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested identification structure where VLAN IDs are nested within the broader context of virtual switch identifiers. Each virtual switch can contain multiple VLANs, and each VLAN can contain multiple virtual networks, creating a hierarchical nesting that expands the total identification capacity while maintaining simple identification at each level.
Data Source
AI summary
Each virtual machine server includes: means for generating, when a virtual machine is connected to a virtual network via a virtual network management apparatus, local identification information unique per virtual switch and setting the local identification information as a VLAN ID of a port of a virtual switch, the port having been connected to the virtual machine; and means for notifying the virtual network management apparatus of a correspondence relationship between the virtual network to which the virtual machine has been connected and the local identification information. The virtual network management apparatus instructs, on the basis of the notification, the switch control apparatus to control the virtual network by using the local identification information unique per virtual switch as a match condition.