Virtual Router IPC Interconnection Bypassing Protocol Stacks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The communication between virtual routers (VRs) on a physical router consumes valuable communication resources such as network protocol stacks and physical interfaces, leading to diminished connectivity and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A virtual router forwarding information base (vrFIB) is created within each VR process to determine if services are on the same physical router, allowing for a lightweight interconnection via Inter Process Communication (IPC) channels for communication between VR processes, thereby reducing the reliance on physical interfaces and network protocol stacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If virtual routers use traditional network protocol stacks and physical interfaces for communication, then communication reliability is maintained, but communication resources are consumed and connectivity is diminished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the network communication mechanism through IPC channels. Instead of using physical network protocol stacks and interfaces, the system implements a software-based communication channel that replicates the essential functionality of network communication at the inter-process level, thereby eliminating the need for physical communication resources while maintaining communication reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (IPC channel with vrFIB) that mediates communication between virtual router processes. This intermediary layer handles packet forwarding and routing decisions without requiring physical network infrastructure, acting as a bridge that replaces traditional network protocol stacks while preserving communication functionality
2Adaptability or versatility
If virtual routers use physical interfaces for communication, then communication functionality is ensured, but router connectivity is diminished and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical system of network interfaces and protocol stacks with a software-based inter-process communication mechanism. By substituting physical communication infrastructure with IPC channels, the system maintains full communication functionality while eliminating the resource consumption and connectivity limitations associated with physical interfaces
3Reliability
If separate processes are used for virtual router services, then process protection and modularity are achieved, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy of network communication at the IPC level. By implementing virtual router forwarding information bases and packet forwarding mechanisms within the IPC framework, the system maintains process protection and modularity while reducing communication overhead through direct inter-process packet forwarding without full network protocol stack processing
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual router (VR) communication arrangement enables services on different VRs executing on the same physical router to communicate without utilizing or substantially consuming communication resources, such as a network protocol stack and physical interfaces, of the physical router. The services are illustratively implemented as separately-scheduled VR processes executing on the physical router. A virtual router forwarding information base (vrFIB) is provided within a client socket library of each VR process and is used to determine whether the services are on the same physical router. If so, a lightweight interconnection is created between the services and a message (“packet”) is forwarded over that interconnection to effectuate communication. If the services are not on the same physical router, the packet is sent over the network protocol stack and communication is established using the communication resources of the router.