Virtual Router for Cross-Subnet VM Migration Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network migration techniques for virtual machines require physical reconfiguration and disruption of network connections, making it difficult to maintain communication between virtual machines across different subnets during migration.
Innovation Solution
The method involves creating a virtual router and virtual switches on the target blade to establish communication between virtual machines from different subnets, allowing them to continue interacting without altering the virtual machines or their network interface cards, using virtual network interface cards (VNICs) and a virtual switching table to manage network traffic and maintain connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If virtual machines are migrated between blade chassis using existing network migration techniques, then the virtual machines can be moved to different physical locations, but physical reconfiguration and disruption of network connections occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual router as an intermediary component that mediates network communication between virtual machines from different subnets. The virtual router maintains routing tables and forwarding rules to ensure continuous network connectivity during and after virtual machine migration, eliminating the need for physical reconfiguration of network connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of network interface cards (VNICs) and routing table entries that allow virtual machines to maintain their original network identities and communication paths during migration. The virtual router replicates routing information across different blade chassis to ensure seamless connectivity without disrupting existing network connections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If virtual machines from different subnets need to communicate, then network connectivity can be established, but physical reconfiguration of network wires is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical network wire reconfiguration with a virtualized routing system. The virtual router uses software-based routing tables and virtual network interfaces to enable cross-subnet communication, eliminating the need for physical network reconfiguration while maintaining full adaptability for communication between virtual machines from different subnets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtualization dimension to the network architecture, creating a logical network layer that operates independently from the physical network infrastructure. This allows cross-subnet communication to be managed through virtual routing tables and logical network paths rather than requiring changes to the physical network topology.
3Reliability
If virtual network interface cards and virtual switches are used to manage network traffic, then network connectivity is maintained during migration, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of virtual switches and virtual network interface cards into an integrated virtual networking subsystem that is tightly coupled with the virtual machine migration process. This consolidation reduces the perceived complexity by presenting a unified virtual network interface to users while maintaining the reliability of network connectivity throughout the migration process.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for migrating a first virtual machine (VM), that includes transmitting, prior to migration, a first packet between the first VM on a first blade chassis and a second VM on a second blade chassis using a first virtual network interface card (VNIC) and a second VNIC. The method includes migrating the first VM and the first VNIC to the second blade, identifying a subnet of the first VM, identifying a subnet of the second VM, and creating a virtual router to execute on the second blade. The virtual router is associated with a third VNIC and a fourth VNIC. A first network address in the first VNIC's subnet is assigned to the third VNIC. A second network address in the second VNIC's subnet is assigned to the fourth VNIC. The method includes routing a second packet between the first VM and the second VM using the virtual router.