Virtual Machine Management Server Service Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods lack a uniform approach for introducing and consuming networking and security services within virtual networks, as existing services are often unable to communicate with or operate within virtual environments.
Innovation Solution
A Virtual Machine Management Server (VMMS) is configured to receive service definitions, create service profiles, and configure hosts to enable network services within virtual networks, providing three insertion points for service integration: within the virtual switch, within the virtual network, and externally, allowing seamless registration and consumption of network services by virtual machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If networking and security services operate outside or as gateways to virtual networks, then service functionality is maintained, but uniform introduction and consumption of services within virtual networks is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service gateway as an intermediary component that bridges virtual networks and external networking/security services. The service gateway intercepts traffic from virtual machines, forwards it to external services, and returns responses, enabling uniform service consumption within the virtual network environment while maintaining compatibility with external service operations
Solution Approach 2:
The service gateway is designed with multi-functional capabilities to handle diverse networking and security services including load balancing, firewall filtering, and application delivery controller functions. This universal design allows a single gateway component to provide multiple service types, achieving both service functionality and uniform introduction/consumption within virtual networks
2Ease of operation
If services operate within the virtual network, then uniform service introduction is achieved, but communication capability with external services is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The service gateway acts as a mediator between the virtual network environment and external services. It receives service definitions from external sources, translates them into virtual network-compatible configurations, and manages service instantiation within the virtual environment, thereby maintaining both uniform service introduction and external communication capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new operational dimension by implementing service gateways at the network boundary layer between physical and virtual networks. This dimensional placement allows services to operate uniformly within the virtual network while maintaining connectivity to external services through the gateway's dual-interface architecture
3Adaptability or versatility
If virtual networks are abstracted from physical networks, then virtual machine mobility is enabled, but service awareness and communication between virtual networks and external services is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The service gateway implements feedback mechanisms that monitor virtual network traffic, service performance, and virtual machine states. This feedback information is used to dynamically adjust service configurations and maintain service awareness despite virtual machine mobility, ensuring continuous communication between virtual networks and external services
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, computer-readable storage medium, and systems described herein facilitate registering and consuming network services on a virtual network. A virtual machine management server (VMMS) is configured to receive a service definition associated with a network service. The VMMS creates one or more service profiles based on the service definition. The VMMS configures a plurality of hosts based on the one or more service profiles such that the network service is usable, via a virtual network, by one or more virtual machines within the plurality of hosts.