VPC Auto-Peering Through Policy-Based Network Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Creating and maintaining explicit configurations for peering between multiple virtual private clouds (VPCs) is labor-intensive and error-prone, especially when a large number of VPCs are involved.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and system for automatic peering between VPCs without explicit bi-directional configuration, utilizing predefined policies to enable VPCs to automatically identify and establish peering connections based on organizational and project approvals, with filtering policies applied at the VPC level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If explicit bi-directional peering configurations are manually created for each VPC pair, then peering connections can be established between VPCs, but the configuration effort and complexity increase significantly with the number of VPCs
Solution Approach 1:
The VPCs automatically discover and establish peering connections with each other without requiring manual configuration. The system enables VPCs to self-configure peerings by automatically creating the necessary peering relationships between VPCs in the same project, eliminating the need for operators to manually create and maintain explicit bi-directional configurations for each VPC pair.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual peering configurations are created for all VPC pairs, then complete network connectivity is achieved, but the time and labor required for creation and maintenance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures peering policies and rules at the project level before VPCs are created or before peering is needed. By establishing the peering framework in advance with predefined policies, the system enables automatic peering establishment without requiring manual configuration at the time of VPC creation or connection, significantly reducing setup time and labor.
3Adaptability or versatility
If each VPC is configured to peer with every other VPC explicitly, then full mesh connectivity is achieved, but the number of configurations required grows quadratically with the number of VPCs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal peering policy framework that applies to all VPCs within a project. Instead of creating individual configurations for each VPC pair, a single set of peering policies is established at the project level that automatically applies to all VPCs, enabling full mesh connectivity with a constant number of policy configurations regardless of the number of VPCs.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides for automatic peering between virtual networks, such as virtual private clouds (VPCs). A VPC may be configured to operate in an “auto-peering” mode, allowing for automatic peering to be turned on or off. When auto-peering is turned on, that VPC may seek connections with other VPCs, such as other VPCs matching one or more predefined policies. In addition, the particular VPC with auto-peering turned on may be open to accept connection requests from other VPCs matching one or more predefined policies. The policies for requesting connection may be the same as or different than the policies for accepting connection requests. According to some examples, the VPC may be set to a “listening” mode, in which it is open to peering with any other VPC that matches a predefined policy, but is not actively seeking to establish other connections.