Virtual Network Visibility Component Placement Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

The geographic distribution of virtual network taps, packet brokers, and monitoring tools in cloud computing environments often results in suboptimal bandwidth utilization and performance due to excessive WAN traffic, leading to latency and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A system with a virtual network visibility component placement controller that analyzes network performance and utilization indicators to optimize the placement of virtual network taps, packet brokers, and monitoring tools, moving them to reduce WAN bandwidth consumption and improve performance by relocating components based on measured or predicted traffic parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If virtual network visibility components are geographically distributed across different cloud computing sites, then service resiliency is improved, but WAN bandwidth utilization deteriorates and latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice resiliencyVSAvoidWAN bandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the placement of virtual network visibility components based on real-time network conditions, traffic patterns, and performance metrics. The orchestration controller continuously monitors WAN bandwidth utilization and latency, and automatically relocates virtual taps, packet brokers, and monitoring tools to optimize the balance between service resiliency and bandwidth consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the geographic location parameter of virtual network visibility components based on analyzed network performance data. By modifying the placement location parameter, the system reduces WAN bandwidth consumption while maintaining service resiliency through intelligent redistribution of monitoring resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If virtual network packet brokers are placed in different cloud computing sites from monitoring applications, then deployment flexibility is improved, but transmission latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment flexibilityVSAvoidpacket transmission latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of network traffic patterns and application requirements before finalizing the placement of virtual network visibility components. By predicting future traffic flows and performance needs, the system pre-positions packet brokers and monitoring tools in optimal locations that minimize latency while preserving deployment flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors packet transmission latency between virtual packet brokers and monitoring applications, using this feedback to dynamically adjust component placement. When latency exceeds thresholds, the system automatically relocates components to reduce transmission distance and improve performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If virtual network visibility components are distributed across multiple sites, then system availability is improved, but cost increases due to excessive WAN bandwidth consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem availabilityVSAvoidWAN bandwidth quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the placement of virtual network visibility components that can be co-located without compromising system availability. By consolidating taps, packet brokers, and monitoring tools in the same cloud computing site when appropriate, the system reduces WAN bandwidth consumption while maintaining high availability through strategic distribution of critical monitoring functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If virtual network taps and packet brokers are virtualized and geographically distributed, then service resiliency is improved, but network performance deteriorates due to sub-optimal placement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice resiliencyVSAvoidnetwork performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual network visibility components are equipped with self-service capabilities that enable them to autonomously monitor their own performance, analyze placement effectiveness, and trigger their own relocation when performance degradation is detected. This self-service approach maintains service resiliency while optimizing network performance through automated placement adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10541901B2Methods, systems and computer readable media for optimizing placement of virtual network visibility components

Publication Date: 2020.01.21 KEYSIGHT TECH SINGAPORE (SALES) PTE LTD

AI summary

A method for optimizing placement of virtual network visibility components includes providing a virtual network monitoring tap instance for copying packets in a network. The method further includes providing a virtual network packet broker instance for receiving and distributing the copied packets to at least one network monitoring tool instance. The method further includes analyzing a network performance or utilization parameter associated with transmission of the copied packets among the virtual network tap instance, the virtual network packet broker instance and the network monitoring tool instance. The method further includes modifying, based on results of the analyzing, placement of at least one of the virtual network packet broker instance and the virtual network monitoring tool instance.