Virtual Networking Devices Manage Routing Communications
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of managing large-scale computer networks, particularly in data centers, has increased due to their scale and scope, making provisioning, administration, and management of physical computing resources increasingly complicated, despite advancements in virtualization technologies that allow for efficient sharing of resources among multiple users.
Innovation Solution
A configurable network service (CNS) provides virtual networking functionality by emulating virtual networking devices and managing routing communications without physically implementing them, allowing users to specify network topologies and interconnect multiple managed computer networks, enabling efficient management of virtual computer networks as overlays on intermediate physical networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If virtualization technologies are used to share computing resources among multiple users, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but network management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual networking device as an intermediary component that mediates between physical networking infrastructure and virtual machines. This virtual networking device abstracts the complexity of physical network management, allowing multiple virtual machines to share network resources without requiring direct management of physical devices. The virtual networking device handles routing, forwarding, and other network functions, thereby resolving the contradiction between improved resource utilization and increased management complexity.
2Reliability
If physical networking devices are physically implemented for each network, then network isolation and security are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of networking devices through virtual networking devices that replicate the functionality of physical devices. Instead of implementing separate physical networking devices for each network, the system uses virtualized representations that provide the same isolation and security functions. This copying approach maintains network security and isolation while eliminating the need for complex physical device implementations.
3Ease of operation
If virtual networking devices are used instead of physical devices, then ease of configuration and management is improved, but reliability of routing communications may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/physical networking devices with software-based virtual networking devices. This substitution maintains routing communication reliability by implementing robust virtual routing protocols and communication mechanisms that replicate the reliability of physical devices while providing superior ease of configuration and management through software-based control.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for providing managed virtual computer networks whose configured logical network topology may have one or more virtual networking devices, such as by a network-accessible configurable network service, with corresponding networking functionality provided for communications between multiple computing nodes of a virtual computer network by emulating functionality that would be provided by the networking devices if they were physically present. The networking functionality provided for a managed computer network may include supporting a connection between that managed computer network and one or more other managed computer networks, such as via a provided virtual peering router to which each of the managed computer networks may connect, with the functionality of the virtual peering router being emulated by modules of the configurable network service without physically providing the virtual peering router, including to manage routing communications between the inter-connected managed computer networks in accordance with client-specified configuration information.