Virtual Machine Migration Network Traffic Redirection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Virtual machine migration in software-defined networks leads to network traffic disruptions and loss of state information due to the lack of support for server relocation in underlying protocols like TCP/IP, resulting in client disconnections and terminated business transactions.

Innovation Solution

A method to update source and destination networks with migration information of a virtual machine, allowing for seamless redirection of network traffic during migration, minimizing interruptions and maintaining connectivity by updating network devices and providing routing information to ensure continuous service.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If virtual machine migration is implemented to improve resource utilization and maintain service continuity, then scalability and flexibility are improved, but network traffic disruption and client disconnection occur due to TCP/IP protocol limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirtual machine migration capabilityVSAvoidnetwork session continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by updating network devices and propagating migration information before the virtual machine actually migrates. The source network device is notified of the upcoming migration, and routing information is prepared in advance, allowing the network to be ready to receive traffic at the destination without interruption to client sessions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where migration information is propagated through network devices as a mediator between the virtual machine migration process and the TCP/IP protocol layer. This intermediary layer handles the translation and routing updates needed to maintain session continuity without requiring changes to the underlying TCP/IP protocol

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If timeout window is set for TCP/IP session restoration, then session recovery is attempted, but mass client disconnection and transaction loss occur when server relocates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesession restoration capabilityVSAvoidclient disconnection time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of waiting for the timeout window to expire and clients to reconnect, the system performs preliminary actions by proactively updating network devices with migration information before the timeout occurs. This prevents the mass disconnection scenario entirely by ensuring routing is already updated when the virtual machine arrives at its destination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by preventing the harmful effect of timeout-based disconnection in the first place. By updating routing information in advance and propagating migration details through network devices, the system counteracts the potential timeout issue before it can cause client disconnections and transaction losses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Adaptability or versatility

If virtual machine is migrated from one physical server to another to provide increased resources, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but network traffic loss and delay occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidnetwork traffic throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary updates to network devices before the virtual machine migration completes. Routing information is prepared and propagated in advance, ensuring that network traffic can flow continuously to the destination server without interruption or delay when the migration occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining uninterrupted network traffic flow during virtual machine migration. Through proactive routing updates and migration information propagation, the network continues to deliver traffic without loss or delay, allowing the virtual machine to move between physical servers while clients experience no interruption in service

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS10684882B2Updating networks with migration information for a virtual machine

Publication Date: 2020.06.16 KYNDRYL INC

AI summary

Methods, computer program products, and network authority devices are presented. The methods include, for instance: updating a source network with migration information of a virtual machine to redirect network traffic for the virtual machine to a destination network; and updating at least one remote network with the migration information of the virtual machine. In one embodiment, the updating includes updating the source network concurrent with a migration of the virtual machine to minimize interruption of the network traffic. In another embodiment, the updating includes updating a network device of the source network to forward the network traffic for the virtual machine to another network device of the destination network. In a further embodiment, the updating includes updating the source network to redirect the network traffic from at least one client on the at least one remote network.