Virtual Network Stack Isolation for DMZ Packet Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network traffic management systems lack efficient mechanisms to route and filter packets between virtual network stacks and physical networks, leading to inadequate security and traffic control within demilitarized zones (DMZs).
Innovation Solution
The implementation of virtual network interface cards (NICs) and virtual network stacks with filters, network layers, and transport layers, which are isolated from each other, to manage and route packets, providing security policies, load balancing, and traffic regulation between networks, and creating a demilitarized zone (DMZ) within a host system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If network traffic is routed directly between physical networks without virtualization, then routing speed is improved, but security and traffic control capabilities deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network stack into multiple virtual network stacks (first virtual network stack, second virtual network stack) that are isolated from each other. Each virtual network stack can independently process packets with its own filter, network layer, and transport layer, enabling simultaneous security checking and routing without compromising speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual network interface cards (virtual NICs) as intermediary components between physical networks and virtual network stacks. These virtual NICs act as mediators that enable isolated communication between virtual stacks while maintaining routing efficiency, solving the contradiction between speed and security.
2Reliability
If multiple virtual network stacks are implemented with full isolation, then security and traffic control are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal virtual network stack components that can serve multiple purposes. The same virtual network stack structure (filter + network layer + transport layer) handles different security requirements and traffic types, reducing overall system complexity through component reuse and standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses virtualization to create copies of network stack functionality rather than implementing separate physical hardware for each security domain. Virtual network stacks are software-based copies that provide full isolation security without the complexity of multiple physical network interfaces.
3Manufacturing precision
If packets are filtered at each virtual network stack layer, then traffic control precision is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary filtering at the filter layer before packets reach the network and transport layers. By performing security and traffic control checks in advance at the filter level, the system achieves precise traffic control without requiring repeated processing at subsequent layers, thereby reducing overall processing time.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for routing a packet. The method includes receiving the packet from a first network into a network interface card (NIC), where the NIC is operatively connected to a host and the host includes a first virtual network stack and a second virtual network stack. The method further includes sending the packet to a first virtual network stack, where the first virtual network stack includes a first filter, a first network layer, and a first transport layer. In addition, the first filter, the first network layer, and the first transport layer are isolated from the second virtual network stack. If the packet is permitted through the first filter in the first virtual network stack, then the packet is sent to a first virtual NIC.