VxLAN Gateway Path Cost Weighting for Encapsulation Overhead

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current network virtualization schemes like TRILL FGL and VxLAN, used in multi-tenant data centers, face challenges in determining optimal forwarding paths across networks that implement both protocols, due to differences in encapsulation overhead, which affects traffic routing efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The method involves computing total path costs across both FGL and VxLAN networks, accounting for encapsulation overhead, and selecting the optimal forwarding path by weighting costs based on encapsulation overhead metrics, using VxLAN gateways that learn RBridge nicknames and exchange link state information to determine the best path for traffic routing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If VxLAN gateways are used to enable both FGL and VxLAN networking, then network virtualization capability is improved, but path selection complexity increases due to different encapsulation overheads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork virtualization capabilityVSAvoidpath selection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the path cost parameter by introducing an encapsulation overhead metric that weights the path cost over the VxLAN network. This transforms the path selection from a simple hop-count metric to a weighted metric that accounts for the additional encapsulation overhead of VxLAN, allowing optimal path selection without complex multi-parameter evaluation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary calculation layer that computes total path costs by combining FGL path costs and weighted VxLAN path costs. This intermediary metric serves as a unified decision criterion that simplifies the path selection process while accounting for the complexities of dual-protocol operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If optimal path selection accounts for encapsulation overhead, then traffic routing efficiency is improved, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic routing efficiencyVSAvoidcomputational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the path cost parameter from a simple integer metric to a weighted metric that incorporates encapsulation overhead. This allows the routing decision to account for efficiency factors while maintaining the same basic path selection algorithm, avoiding the need for complex computational procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9203738B2Optimal forwarding for trill fine-grained labeling and VXLAN interworking

Publication Date: 2015.12.01 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

An example method for determining an optimal forwarding path across a network having VxLAN gateways configured to implement both FGL networking and VxLAN capabilities can include learning RBridge nicknames associated with the VxLAN gateways in the network. Additionally, the method can include determining a path cost over the FGL network between each of the VxLAN gateways and a source node and a path cost over the VxLAN between each of the VxLAN gateways and a destination node. Further, the method can include determining an encapsulation overhead metric associated with the VxLAN and selecting one of the VxLAN gateways as an optimal VxLAN gateway. The selection can be based on the computed path costs over the FGL network and the VxLAN and the encapsulation overhead metric.