VXLAN Data Transfer Servers for Multicast Packet Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtual computer environments, existing tunneling techniques like VXLAN do not efficiently transfer broadcast and multicast packets across multiple domains without using multicast, leading to network inefficiency due to copied packets following the same path.
Innovation Solution
A data transfer system with first and second data transfer servers that receive packets from tunnel end points within their respective domains and transfer them to other end points, excluding the transfer source, using unicast to reduce traffic on specific paths and prevent packet reciprocation between servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multicast is used for broadcast and multicast packet transfer in VXLAN, then packet delivery to multiple destinations is achieved, but network construction becomes complex and requires physical network multicast support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a unicast transfer mechanism as an intermediary alternative to multicast. Instead of using physical network multicast, the system encapsulates broadcast and multicast packets in VXLAN tunnels and transfers them via unicast to destination TEPs. This mediator approach eliminates the need for physical multicast support while maintaining efficient packet delivery across multiple domains.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transfer parameter from multicast to unicast at the network layer. By modifying how packets are routed (from multicast group addressing to individual unicast addressing), the system achieves simplified network construction without sacrificing transfer efficiency. The VXLAN encapsulation enables this parameter change while preserving the original packet semantics.
2Reliability
If packet copying is used instead of multicast for broadcast transfer, then multicast network support becomes unnecessary, but copied packets follow the same path causing network efficiency degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into multiple domains with domain-specific TEPs and introduces domain-based packet transfer. By dividing the network into manageable domains and implementing unicast transfer within each domain, the system avoids the efficiency degradation of traditional packet copying while maintaining necessary transfer mechanisms. Each domain handles packets independently, preventing path conflicts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the VXLAN encapsulation layer as an additional dimension above the physical network. This virtualization layer enables efficient broadcast and multicast packet transfer through unicast mechanisms without being constrained by physical network limitations. The encapsulation dimension allows packets to be routed efficiently across domains without following identical physical paths.
3Loss of energy
If unicast transfer is used for broadcast and multicast packets across domains, then network traffic on specific paths is reduced and packet reciprocation is prevented, but transfer mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the broadcast and multicast transfer function from the physical network layer and relocates it to the VXLAN application layer. By taking out this function and implementing it through unicast transfer at the virtualization layer, the system reduces physical network traffic overhead while managing the transfer complexity at the software level where it can be more flexibly handled.
Solution Approach 2:
The data transfer servers implement self-service mechanisms by automatically determining destination TEPs and managing unicast packet routing. The system uses embedded destination information in VXLAN headers to autonomously route packets without requiring complex external control, reducing both network traffic overhead and operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a data transfer system capable of efficiently transferring broadcast and multicast packets when a virtual network is configured in a network arranged over multiple domains. The data transfer system is equipped with: a first data transfer server for tunnel end points which belong to a first domain; and a second data transfer server for tunnel end points which belong to a second domain. The first data transfer server, upon receiving a packet from a tunnel end point in the first domain, transfers the packet to the second data transfer server and to the tunnel end points in the first domain other than the packet transfer source tunnel end point, and the second data transfer server, upon receiving the packet from the first data transfer server, transfers the packet to the tunnel end points in the second domain.