Virtual Machine Address Resolution via Centralized Controller Unicast
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limitation of existing switch systems in supporting a large number of multicast groups restricts the quantity of created switching endpoints, leading to interruptions in service connections when virtual machines are migrated across layer 2 networks, as they require dynamic IP address changes, which traditional methods cannot handle efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves a centralized controller and switching endpoints to manage virtual machines, where a virtual machine sends an address acquisition request in a broadcast manner, which is then converted to unicast, allowing the centralized controller to provide an address list of switching endpoints, enabling the virtual machine to acquire the physical address of another machine without relying solely on multicast groups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multicast manner is used for address acquisition requests, then address resolution can be achieved across switching endpoints, but the quantity of supported switching endpoints is limited by the switch's multicast group capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized controller acts as an intermediary between switching endpoints for address resolution. Instead of switches directly multicasting requests to each other (which is limited by multicast group capacity), the centralized controller receives address acquisition requests, determines the target switching endpoint, and forwards requests unicast-style to the appropriate endpoint, thereby eliminating the multicast group limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional multicast-based address acquisition mechanism with a centralized controller-based unicast mechanism. The centralized controller substitutes the multicast forwarding plane, converting broadcast/multicast address resolution into directed unicast communication through the controller, thus bypassing the hardware limitation of multicast group support.
2Adaptability or versatility
If virtual machine is migrated across layer 2, then virtual machine mobility is enabled, but service connection is interrupted due to IP address change
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary address resolution by maintaining and querying address mapping information before migration completes. The centralized controller stores and manages the mapping between virtual machine identifiers and physical addresses, allowing the network to proactively update routing information and maintain connectivity during the migration process, preventing service interruption.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for acquiring a physical address of a virtual machine, a centralized controller, a switching endpoint, and a communications system, with a view to resolving a problem of a limitation on a quantity of created switching endpoints caused by an insufficient quantity of multicast groups of a switch or no multicast support when an address of a virtual machine is acquired in a multicast manner. The method in an embodiment of the present invention includes: acquiring, by a first switching endpoint, an address list of N switching endpoints from a centralized controller after receiving an address acquisition request sent by a first virtual machine, where the N switching endpoints include a second switching endpoint; sending, in a unicast manner according to the address list, the request to the N switching endpoints that include the second switching endpoint; and after receiving a second response sent by the second switching endpoint, sending the second response to the first virtual machine. The embodiments of the present invention can avoid the limitation on the quantity of created switching endpoints caused by the insufficient quantity of multicast groups of the switch, so as to increase the quantity of created switching endpoints.