Virtual Network Traffic Processing Device Configuration Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring network traffic processing devices can lead to errors, such as incorrect rejection of network transmissions, due to the risk of mismanaging configuration changes, which limits the flexibility of network administrators and increases the likelihood of errors.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a virtual distributed system with multiple virtual network traffic processing devices (VNTPDs) allows for configuration changes to be made on a smaller scale, enabling administrators to modify functions more freely while simplifying monitoring and control decisions, as all VNTPDs are managed by a single network traffic processing device (NTPD).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If configuration changes are made to network traffic processing devices, then the flexibility and adaptability of network administrators is improved, but the risk of errors and reliability deterioration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network traffic processing device into multiple virtual instances (VNTPDs), each capable of independent configuration. This allows administrators to modify configuration parameters in individual virtual instances without affecting the entire system, thereby improving configuration flexibility while containing error propagation and maintaining system reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If configuration changes are made to network traffic processing devices, then the adaptability of network administrators is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple virtual network traffic processing instances into a single physical device managed by one controller. This consolidation allows administrators to manage multiple configuration instances through a unified interface, reducing operational complexity while maintaining the flexibility to apply different configurations across virtual instances.
3Ease of operation
If configuration changes are made to network traffic processing devices, then the flexibility of network administrators is improved, but the likelihood of errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a configuration validation mechanism that performs preliminary checks before applying configuration changes to virtual instances. This preliminary action verifies configuration parameters for correctness and compatibility, allowing administrators to freely experiment with configurations while preventing erroneous settings from being applied, thus maintaining both flexibility and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A network traffic processing device (NTPD) implements a plurality of virtual network traffic processing devices (VNTPDs), a control plane, and an NTPD manager. The plurality of VNTPDs are configured to perform respective versions of a network processing function on network transmissions, where at least two of the respective versions are different. The control plane is configured to select, for a network transmission based on a management policy, one or more of the VNTPDs to perform respective versions of the network processing function. The NTPD manager is configured to monitor results of the selected VNTPDs performing the respective versions of the network processing function and, based on the monitored results, to determine a configuration change for one or more of the VNTPDs or to control output of the network transmission.