Virtual Networking Tagging for Overlay Packet Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Incompatibility between different encapsulation types in network virtualization using overlays leads to communication bottlenecks, impacting performance in virtual networking systems.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method for packet distribution in virtual networking systems that includes tagging packets with virtual networking tags containing routing information, allowing for seamless communication between interconnected virtual networks through an underlying layer network, and using Distributed Overlay Virtual Ethernet (DOVE) switches to manage and route packets efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If translation gateways are used to translate between different packet formats, then compatibility between encapsulation types is achieved, but communication performance deteriorates due to bottlenecks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility between encapsulation typesVSAvoidcommunication performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the translation function from centralized gateways and distributes it to individual virtual switches. Each virtual switch is modified to support multiple encapsulation types directly, eliminating the need for translation gateways and their associated bottlenecks. This allows packets to be forwarded directly between virtual networks without intermediate translation steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the translation function from a centralized gateway into distributed capabilities at each virtual switch. Instead of one centralized translation point, each virtual switch independently handles its own encapsulation translations, distributing the workload and eliminating single-point bottlenecks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple encapsulation types are supported across the network, then versatility is improved, but system complexity increases due to translation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for multiple encapsulation typesVSAvoidtranslation gateway complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables each virtual switch to be self-sufficient in handling multiple encapsulation types. Instead of relying on external translation gateways, each virtual switch is modified to natively support various encapsulation formats, making the system more distributed and less complex overall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes each virtual switch universal by enabling it to handle multiple encapsulation types (VxLAN, NVGRE, etc.) directly. This multi-functionality at the switch level eliminates the need for specialized translation gateways, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9602307B2Tagging virtual overlay packets in a virtual networking system

Publication Date: 2017.03.21 KYNDRYL INC

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention provide a method for packet distribution in a virtual networking system comprising multiple virtual networks interconnected over an underlying layer network, wherein each virtual network comprises one or more computing nodes. The method comprises, for each virtual network, sending at least one outgoing packet targeting a computing node at a different virtual network, and receiving at least one incoming packet targeting a computing node of the virtual network. Each packet has a corresponding virtual networking tag that includes routing information identifying a destination virtual network for the packet.