Virtual Switch Cluster Traffic Forwarding via Dynamic Member Lists
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtual switch clusters, the limited bandwidth of stack links affects traffic forwarding performance, as existing traffic sharing policies are not optimized for the cross-device environment, leading to inefficient load sharing among member ports.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that dynamically manage an aggregation group member list and a traffic forwarding member list, where nonlocal members are added or removed based on bandwidth thresholds and traffic demands, ensuring optimal traffic forwarding while minimizing bandwidth occupation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traffic sharing is performed at all member ports belonging to the aggregation group using a hash policy, then load sharing is achieved, but traffic forwarding performance is influenced due to limited stack link bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic traffic sharing by maintaining two separate lists: an aggregation group member list (all ports) and an aggregation group traffic forwarding member list (selected ports). The system dynamically selects which ports participate in traffic forwarding based on real-time bandwidth conditions, transforming the static all-or-nothing approach into a flexible, adaptive mechanism that optimizes performance while controlling bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating between local members (ports on the same device) and nonlocal members (ports on different devices). The traffic forwarding member list initially contains only local members to avoid occupying stack link bandwidth, while still providing load sharing capabilities within the same device. This localized approach ensures high-performance traffic forwarding without unnecessary bandwidth consumption.
2Productivity
If nonlocal members are added to the aggregation group traffic forwarding member list, then traffic forwarding capacity is improved, but bandwidth occupation of stack links increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors traffic forwarding demands and dynamically adjusts the composition of the traffic forwarding member list. When traffic demand exceeds the capacity of local members, nonlocal members are selectively added to meet the demand. This feedback-driven approach ensures that bandwidth is occupied only when necessary, optimizing the balance between forwarding capacity and bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of port selection by transitioning from a fixed set of member ports to a dynamically selected subset. The system adjusts which ports are included in the traffic forwarding member list based on traffic patterns, bandwidth availability, and performance requirements. This parameter change enables flexible control over both capacity and bandwidth occupation.
3Ease of operation
If a single aggregation group traffic forwarding member list is used for all devices, then configuration simplicity is maintained, but traffic forwarding performance is compromised in cross-device scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the aggregation group functionality into two distinct components: the aggregation group member list (defining all member ports) and the aggregation group traffic forwarding member list (defining ports used for traffic forwarding). This segmentation allows the system to maintain configuration simplicity through a single aggregation group definition while achieving optimized traffic forwarding performance by selectively managing which ports participate in forwarding based on device location and bandwidth conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A traffic forwarding method and system based on a virtual switch cluster is described. The method includes setting an aggregation group member list to store information about all the members of an aggregation group; setting an aggregation group traffic forwarding member list to store information of aggregation group members for forwarding traffic, wherein the list in an initial state only containing information about local members of the aggregation group; and when it is determined that traffic of a physical device exceeds the total bandwidth of the members in the aggregation group traffic forwarding member list or a threshold value related to the total bandwidth, selecting a nonlocal member from the aggregation group member list and adding the same into the aggregation group traffic forwarding member list, and forwarding traffic according to the changed aggregation group traffic forwarding member list.