Virtual Switch Maintenance Mode Network Traffic Rerouting

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Solution Overview

Problem

In virtualized computing environments, placing a network device into maintenance mode for service, repair, hardware upgrade, or software upgrade is challenging due to the need to quiesce network traffic without disrupting critical workloads, often requiring manual shutdown or reconfiguration of host computing systems and network connections.

Innovation Solution

A switch maintenance module dynamically routes network traffic through virtual switches or migrates workloads to other host computing systems based on a network topology map, allowing network devices to be placed into maintenance mode without disconnecting host systems or resources, using a distributed resource scheduling framework to manage traffic rerouting and resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If network traffic is manually shut down to place a network device into maintenance mode, then the network device can be serviced, but critical workloads are disrupted and host computing systems must be reconfigured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork device maintenanceVSAvoidworkload continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments network traffic by identifying individual host computing systems connected to the network device. The topology map breaks down the network into discrete host-device connections, allowing selective traffic redirection for each host independently, enabling maintenance without disrupting the entire network

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary routing mechanism that acts as a mediator between workloads and the network device in maintenance mode. Traffic is routed through alternative paths or virtual switches, allowing the network device to be serviced while maintaining connectivity for critical workloads through the intermediary routing infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If network traffic is rerouted through virtual switches to maintain workload connectivity, then workload continuity is preserved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkload continuityVSAvoidrouting configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service through automated topology discovery and dynamic routing configuration. The controller automatically builds the topology map by discovering network connections and configures virtual switch routing rules without manual intervention, reducing operational complexity while maintaining workload continuity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The routing configuration is made dynamic rather than static. The system continuously monitors network topology and automatically adjusts routing rules based on current connections and maintenance status, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions without requiring complex manual reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of repair

If manual reconfiguration of host computing systems is performed to service network devices, then network devices can be maintained, but maintenance time and operational overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork device accessibilityVSAvoidmaintenance downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically discovering and mapping network topology before maintenance begins. The topology map is pre-built by identifying all host computing systems connected to the network device, so when maintenance is initiated, the routing configuration is already optimized and can be executed immediately without time-consuming manual reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical reconfiguration operations with automated software-based routing control. Instead of physically reconfiguring host computing systems or manually changing network connections, the controller programmatically adjusts virtual switch routing rules, dramatically reducing maintenance time and operational overhead

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10218622B2Placing a network device into a maintenance mode in a virtualized computing environment

Publication Date: 2019.02.26 VMWARE INC

AI summary

Techniques for placing a first network device into maintenance mode are described. In one embodiment, a first host computing system coupled to the first network device is identified. The first host computing system executes a workload that transmits and receives network traffic via the first network device. If the first host computing system is not coupled to any other network device, the network traffic to the first network device is quiesced by initiating migration of the workload to a second host computing system coupled to any other network device. If the first host computing system is coupled to a second network device, the network traffic to the first network device is quiesced by instructing a virtual switch of the first host computing system to route the network traffic between the workload and the second network device, and cease routing the network traffic between the workload and the first network device.