Virtualized Load Balancer Resource Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load balancing techniques, particularly in active-standby configurations, often result in underutilization of resources as standby units remain idle, and scaling with additional load balancer pairs is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Employing virtualization and resource allocation capabilities to create multiple logical devices from a single physical load balancer, allowing for active-active configurations across multiple devices without the need for additional physical load balancers, thereby fully utilizing available resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If additional physical load balancer devices are deployed to scale resources, then resource capacity increases, but hardware cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments a single physical load balancer device into multiple virtual load balancer instances through virtualization. Each virtual instance can be configured in active-standby pairs, effectively creating multiple logical devices from one physical device. This segmentation allows resource scaling without proportionally increasing physical hardware or system complexity.
2Reliability
If standby load balancer units are configured for failover, then system reliability improves, but resource utilization deteriorates as standby units remain idle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables standby virtual load balancer instances to perform additional functions during normal operation, such as processing health checks, gathering statistics, or handling low-priority traffic. This multi-functionality allows standby units to remain ready for failover while simultaneously contributing to system productivity, thus improving resource utilization without compromising reliability.
3Productivity
If virtualization is implemented to consolidate load balancers, then resource efficiency improves, but configuration and management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtualization layer as an intermediary between the physical load balancer hardware and the logical load balancer instances. This virtualization layer abstracts the complexity of managing multiple instances, providing standardized interfaces for configuration, deployment, and management. By mediating between physical and virtual layers, it simplifies configuration and management while maintaining high resource efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a load balancing system may include a first physical device that provides a resource. The first physical device may have a first virtual device running actively thereon. The first virtual device may have the resource allocated to it on the physical device. The first physical device may also have a virtual server load balancer running actively thereon. The server load balancer may be adapted to balance a workload associated with the resource between the first virtual device and a second virtual device. The second virtual device may be running in active mode on a second physical device, and in standby mode on the first physical device. The first virtual device may be in standby mode on the second physical device.