Virtual Machine Mobility Packet Forwarding Optimization

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional packet forwarding systems in data centers experience suboptimal performance and increased bandwidth consumption when virtual machines move between servers, due to unnecessary hops in packet forwarding paths.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method to track virtual machine movement and update the forwarding information base (FIB) with location information from a virtual machine move list, allowing packets to be forwarded directly to the new switch without passing through the original switch, thereby optimizing packet forwarding paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If virtual machines move between servers in conventional systems, then virtual machine mobility is achieved, but packet forwarding becomes suboptimal with increased delay and bandwidth consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirtual machine mobilityVSAvoidpacket forwarding delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by tracking virtual machine movement and proactively updating the forwarding information base (FIB) before packet forwarding is needed. The virtual machine move list is maintained and FIB entries are pre-updated with new location information, so when packets need to be forwarded, the optimized path is already in place, eliminating delay caused by real-time route discovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If virtual machines move between servers in conventional systems, then virtual machine mobility is achieved, but switching bandwidth consumption increases due to extra hops

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirtual machine mobilityVSAvoidswitching bandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by tracking virtual machine movement and proactively updating the forwarding information base (FIB) before packet forwarding is needed. The virtual machine move list is maintained and FIB entries are pre-updated with new location information, so when packets need to be forwarded, the optimized path is already in place, eliminating delay caused by real-time route discovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If conventional packet forwarding is used with virtual machine mobility, then system simplicity is maintained, but forwarding efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary hops

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforwarding system simplicityVSAvoidpacket forwarding efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by tracking virtual machine movement and proactively updating the forwarding information base (FIB) before packet forwarding is needed. The virtual machine move list is maintained and FIB entries are pre-updated with new location information, so when packets need to be forwarded, the optimized path is already in place, eliminating delay caused by real-time route discovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the forwarding information base is continuously updated based on virtual machine location changes. The virtual machine move list provides feedback about current VM positions, and this information is fed back into the FIB to maintain accurate forwarding tables, ensuring packets are always routed efficiently regardless of VM mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2870737B1Packet forwarding optimization with virtual machine mobility

Publication Date: 2020.04.08 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

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AI summary

In one embodiment, a method includes tracking at a network device in communication with a plurality of virtual machines, virtual machine movement based on a device identifier in a packet received from one of the virtual machines and storing location information for the virtual machine in a virtual machine move list at the network device. The location information from the virtual machine move list is inserted into a forwarding information base for use in optimized forwarding of packets destined for the virtual machine. An apparatus and logic are also disclosed herein.