Virtual Switch Cloning for Network Configuration Replication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtualized network environments lack an efficient method for replicating virtual resources, such as virtual switches and their configurations, across physical hosts, which hinders the ability to easily manage and configure complex network setups.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for replicating virtual resources by identifying the source virtual switch structure and its configuration parameters, and creating a target virtual switch structure with a subset of these parameters, allowing for the cloning of virtual resources like VLANs and distributed port groups across physical hosts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If virtual network resources are manually configured on each physical host, then configuration accuracy and control are improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements cloning of virtual network resources by copying the configuration parameters, structure, and settings from a source virtual resource to create an identical or modified target virtual resource. This copying mechanism preserves configuration accuracy while dramatically reducing the time required to set up virtual network resources across multiple physical hosts, as administrators can replicate proven configurations rather than manually recreating them.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration of virtual network resources on a source physical host, validates the configuration, and then replicates it to target hosts. This preliminary action ensures configuration accuracy is established once and then reused, avoiding repeated manual configuration errors and reducing overall deployment time across the virtualized network environment.
2Productivity
If virtual network resources are replicated across physical hosts, then deployment efficiency and consistency are improved, but system complexity and management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cloning functionality creates replicated virtual network resources across physical hosts by copying configuration data structures and parameters. This approach improves deployment efficiency and consistency by ensuring identical configurations are applied uniformly, while the automated copying process actually reduces management overhead compared to manual configuration, as the system handles the replication complexity rather than requiring administrator intervention at each host.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual network resource cloning mechanism serves multiple functions: it replicates configurations across hosts, ensures configuration consistency, enables rapid deployment, and provides a template-based approach for standardized virtual network setup. This multi-functionality improves productivity while the unified cloning interface simplifies management rather than increasing complexity.
3Reliability
If configuration parameters are preserved during replication, then consistency and reliability are improved, but flexibility and adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The cloning process copies configuration parameters from source to target virtual resources, ensuring consistency and reliability across the virtualized network environment. The system preserves essential configuration data such as VLAN settings, security policies, and network parameters to maintain reliable and consistent behavior across replicated resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The cloning mechanism incorporates dynamic modification capabilities that allow administrators to adjust configuration parameters during the replication process. This enables the system to maintain configuration consistency for essential parameters while providing flexibility to adapt specific settings to meet different deployment requirements, thus balancing reliability with adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Replicating a virtual resource includes identifying source virtual switch structure to be replicated comprising a set of configuration parameters and creating target virtual switch structure by replicating the source virtual switch structure and a first subset of the set of configuration parameters.