VXLAN Controller Host Entry Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network technologies, such as IP multicast, inefficiently manage packet forwarding when destination MAC addresses are unknown, requiring configuration and management of multicast groups for packet transmission.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for sharing VXLAN host entries between virtual tunnel endpoints (VTEPs) that locally learn host entries and convey them to a VXLAN controller, allowing the controller to update global host entry tables and instruct other VTEPs to update their active forwarding tables, eliminating the need for IP multicast protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If IP multicast is used to flood packets to all destinations when destination MAC address is not known, then packet transmission is enabled, but configuration and management of multicast groups is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a VXLAN controller as an intermediary that centralizes the management of host entry tables. Instead of each VTEP independently managing multicast groups, the controller maintains a global host entry table and distributes relevant information to VTEPs, eliminating the need for local multicast group management while enabling efficient packet forwarding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the multicast group management function from individual VTEPs and consolidates it into the VXLAN controller. By separating the control plane (controller) from the data plane (VTEPs), the complex task of tracking and managing multicast groups is performed centrally, while VTEPs focus on simple packet forwarding based on received host entry information.
2Loss of information
If host entries are shared across all VTEPs using traditional methods, then routing information is available network-wide, but management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The VXLAN controller performs multiple functions: it maintains the global host entry table, receives host entry information from VTEPs, determines which VTEPs should receive specific host entries based on VNI associations, and distributes information selectively. This multi-functional approach consolidates management complexity into a single entity while ensuring routing information is available where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniformly distributing all host entry information to all VTEPs, the patent applies local quality by selectively distributing host entries only to VTEPs that have an association with the relevant VNI. Each VTEP receives customized host entry information based on its local configuration and associations, reducing unnecessary information processing and management overhead.
3Device complexity
If VTEPs maintain separate host entry tables independently, then management is simple, but routing information is not shared efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where VTEPs send host entry information to the VXLAN controller, which then processes and redistributes this information to appropriate VTEPs. This feedback loop ensures that host entry tables are continuously updated with the latest routing information, improving packet forwarding efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through centralized coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the distributed host entry tables of individual VTEPs into a centralized global host entry table maintained by the VXLAN controller. By combining these separate tables into a single authoritative source, the system achieves efficient information sharing across the network while the controller manages the complexity of maintaining and distributing this unified table.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for sharing host entries between virtual tunnel endpoints (VTEPs). The method includes making a first determination that an NLHE is present in a locally learned host entry table on a VTEP where the NHLE is associated with a first timestamp, and making a second determination that a first entry corresponding to the NHLE is present in a Host-Specific Portion of Global Host Entry Table (HSPT) on the VTEP, where the first entry is associated with a second timestamp. Based on the second determination, making a third determination, using the timestamps, that the NHLE is more recent than the first entry and based on the third determination updating an active forwarding table on the first VTEP to include a second entry corresponding to the NHLE and to remove the first entry and sending the NHLE to a VXLAN controller operatively connected to the VTEP.