Multiple cloud services delivery by a cloud exchange

• US 10,021,197 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2016
• Issued: 07/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Equinix Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Equinix Incorporated
• Inventors: Rao, Ravindra JN
• Primary Examiner(s): Biagini, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US15/001,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20160337474A1
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4633 Interconnection of networks using encapsulation techniques, e.g. tunneling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4641 Virtual LANs, VLANs, e.g. virtual private networks [VPN] LAN interconnection over a bridge based backbone H04L12/462; encapsulation techniques H04L12/4633; routing of packets H04L45/00; packet switches H04L49/00; virtual private networks for security H04L63/0272
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0813 characterised by the conditions triggering a change of settings
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/20 Network management software packages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/40 using virtualisation of network functions or resources, e.g. SDN or NFV entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5025 by proactively reacting to service quality change, e.g. by reconfiguration after service quality degradation or upgrade
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5051 Service on demand, e.g. definition and deployment of services in real time
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5096 wherein the managed service relates to distributed or central networked applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/586 of virtual routers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/64 using an overlay routing layer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/10 characterised by the switching fabric construction
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/25 Routing or path finding in a switch fabric
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1097 for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/142 Managing session states for stateless protocols; Signalling session states; State transitions; Keeping-state mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/53 using third party service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/566 : Grouping or aggregating service requests, e.g. for unified processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/63 : Routing a service request depending on the request content or context
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 : Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols

Abstract

In some examples, a network data center comprises a cloud-based services exchange point comprising a network, the cloud-based services exchange point operated by a cloud exchange provider that operates the network data center; and a programmable network platform comprising at least one programmable processor configured to receive a service request that specifies a plurality of cloud services provided by respective cloud service provider networks operated by respective cloud service providers, wherein the service request further specifies a topology for the plurality of cloud services; and provision, responsive to the service request, the cloud-based services exchange point to forward service traffic for the plurality of cloud services according to the topology for the plurality of cloud services.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by a programmable network platform for a cloud-based services exchange point within a data center, a service request for an end-to-end service that specifies a plurality of cloud services provided by respective cloud service provider networks operated by respective cloud service providers, wherein each of the cloud service provider networks is co-located within the data center and is coupled to the cloud-based services exchange point by an aggregation link, wherein the service request is associated with a service level agreement, and wherein the service request further specifies a topology for the plurality of cloud services;

provisioning, by the programmable network platform responsive to the service request, the cloud-based services exchange point to forward service traffic for the end-to-end service along a sequence of the plurality of cloud services applied by the respective cloud service provider networks to the service traffic according to the topology for the plurality of cloud services,

wherein the provisioning comprises configuring a virtual routing and forwarding instance (VRF) of a provider edge (PE) router of the cloud-based services exchange point to receive respective layer 3 routes, for the cloud service provider networks, advertised from respective VRFs of the cloud-based services exchange point configured for the cloud service provider networks, and

wherein the PE router forwards the service traffic according to the respective layer 3 routes for the cloud service provider networks, stored to the VRF of the PE router, according to the topology for the plurality of cloud services; and

providing, by the programmable network platform after the provisioning, service assurance of the end-to-end service by (1) obtaining service telemetry and analytics data for the end-to-end service from the cloud-based services exchange point, (2) analyzing the service telemetry and analytics data to identify at least one anomaly for the end-to-end service, and (3) in response to identifying the at least one anomaly, executing a remedial action to ensure the end-to-end service adheres to the service level agreement.

2. The method of claim 1,

wherein provisioning the cloud-based services exchange point comprises configuring, by the programmable network platform, a virtual router of the cloud-based services exchange point to receive respective layer 3 routes for the cloud service provider networks, wherein the PE router comprises the virtual router, and

wherein the virtual router forwards the service traffic according to the layer 3 routes for the cloud service provider networks according to the topology for the plurality of cloud services.

3. The method of claim 2,

wherein the cloud-based services exchange point comprises a layer three (L3) autonomous system operated by a cloud exchange provider and located within a data center,

wherein the L3 autonomous system comprises an Internet Protocol network interconnecting a plurality of provider edge (PE) routers, including the PE router, by a plurality of tunnels, and

wherein to provision the cloud-based services exchange point the programmable network platform configures the plurality of PE routers to establish an end-to-end L3 path comprising one of the plurality of tunnels and connecting, at layer 3, each of the cloud service provider networks to the virtual router.

4. The method of claim 3,

wherein to provision the cloud-based services exchange point the programmable network platform configures the plurality of PE routers with configuration data defining the respective virtual private network routing and forwarding instances (VRFs) for the plurality of cloud services,

wherein the plurality of PE routers receive, via a first routing protocol, the respective layer 3 routes for the cloud service provider networks, and

wherein the virtual router receives the respective layer 3 routes for the cloud service provider networks, via a second routing protocol, from the plurality of PE routers.

5. The method of claim 1,

wherein provisioning the cloud-based services exchange point comprises configuring, by the programmable network platform, a virtual router of the cloud-based services exchange point with respective layer 2 virtual private networks for the cloud service provider networks, wherein the PE router comprises the virtual router, and

wherein the virtual router forwards the service traffic according to the respective layer 2 virtual private networks for the cloud service provider networks according to the topology for the plurality of cloud services.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the service request conforms to a service definition that identifies the service request as a request for the plurality of cloud services.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the service request specifies an authoritative service owner for the end-to-end service comprising the plurality of cloud services.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the authoritative service owner is a cloud exchange provider that operates the cloud-based services exchange.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the service request specifies a service identifier for the end-to-end service comprising the plurality of cloud services.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the service request is originated by a customer of the cloud-based services exchange.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending, by the programmable network platform for each cloud service of the plurality of cloud services, a service request for the cloud service to an orchestration system for the corresponding cloud service provider network to cause the orchestration system to orchestrate the cloud service within the cloud service provider network.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the service request further specifies a native service applied by the cloud-based services exchange point, the method further comprising:

provisioning, by the programmable network platform responsive to the service request, the cloud-based services exchange point to apply the native service to service traffic for at least one of the plurality of cloud services.

13. A network data center comprising:

a cloud-based services exchange point comprising a network, the cloud-based services exchange point operated by a cloud exchange provider that operates the network data center; and

a programmable network platform comprising at least one programmable processor configured to;

receive a service request for an end-to-end service that specifies a plurality of cloud services provided by respective cloud service provider networks operated by respective cloud service providers, wherein each of the cloud service provider networks is co-located within the data center and is coupled to the cloud-based services exchange point by an aggregation link, wherein the service request is associated with a service level agreement, and wherein the service request further specifies a topology for the plurality of cloud services;

provision, responsive to the service request, the cloud-based services exchange point to forward service traffic for the end-to-end service along a sequence of the plurality of cloud services applied by the respective cloud service provider networks to the service traffic according to the topology for the plurality of cloud services,

wherein to provision the cloud-based services exchange point the at least one programmable processor is configured to configure a virtual routing and forwarding instance (VRF) of a provider edge (PE) router of the cloud-based services exchange point to receive respective layer 3 routes, for the cloud service provider networks, advertised from respective VRFs of the cloud-based services exchange point configured for the cloud service provider networks, and

wherein the PE router is configured to forward the service traffic according to the respective layer 3 routes for the cloud service provider networks, stored to the VRF of the PE router, according to the topology for the plurality of cloud services; and

provide, after the end-to-end service is provisioned, service assurance of the end-to-end service by (1) obtaining service telemetry and analytics data for the end-to-end service from the cloud-based services exchange point, (2) analyzing the service telemetry and analytics data to identify at least one anomaly for the end-to-end service, and (3) in response to identifying the at least one anomaly, executing a remedial action to ensure the end-to-end service adheres to the service level agreement.

14. The network data center of claim 13,

wherein provisioning the cloud-based services exchange point comprises configuring, by the programmable network platform, a virtual router of the cloud-based services exchange point to receive the respective layer 3 routes for the cloud service provider networks, wherein the PE router comprises the virtual router, and

wherein the virtual router forwards the service traffic according to the layer 3 routes for the cloud service provider networks according to the topology for the plurality of cloud services.

15. The network data center of claim 14,

wherein the cloud-based services exchange point comprises a layer three (L3) autonomous system operated by a cloud exchange provider and located within the network data center,

wherein the L3 autonomous system comprises an Internet Protocol network interconnecting a plurality of provider edge (PE) routers, including the PE router, by a plurality of tunnels, and

wherein to provision the cloud-based services exchange point the programmable network platform configures the plurality of PE routers to establish an end-to-end L3 path comprising one of the plurality of tunnels and connects, at layer 3, each of the cloud service provider networks to the virtual router of the PE router.

16. The network data center of claim 13,

wherein provisioning the cloud-based services exchange point comprises configuring, by the programmable network platform, a virtual router of the cloud-based services exchange point with respective layer 2 virtual private networks for the cloud service provider networks, wherein the PE router comprises the virtual router, and

wherein the virtual router forwards the service traffic according to the respective layer 2 virtual private networks for the cloud service provider networks according to the topology for the plurality of cloud services.

17. The network data center of claim 13, wherein the service request conforms to a service definition that identifies the service request as a request for the plurality of cloud services.

18. The network data center of claim 13, wherein the service request specifies an authoritative service owner for the end-to-end service comprising the plurality of cloud services.

19. The network data center of claim 13, wherein the service request specifies a service identifier for the end-to-end service comprising the plurality of cloud services.

20. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause at least one programmable processor of a programmable network platform for a data center-based cloud exchange to perform operations comprising:

receiving a service request for an end-to-end service that specifies a plurality of cloud services provided by respective cloud service provider networks operated by respective cloud service providers, wherein each of the cloud service provider networks is co-located within the data center and is coupled to the cloud-based services exchange point by an aggregation link, wherein the service request is associated with a service level agreement, and wherein the service request further specifies a topology for the plurality of cloud services;

provisioning, by the programmable network platform responsive to the service request, the cloud-based services exchange point to forward service traffic for the end-to-end service along a sequence of the plurality of cloud services applied by the respective cloud service provider networks to the service traffic according to the topology for the plurality of cloud services,

wherein the provisioning comprises configuring a virtual routing and forwarding instance (VRF) of a provider edge (PE) router of the cloud-based services exchange point to receive respective layer 3 routes, for the cloud service provider networks, advertised from respective VRFs of the cloud-based services exchange point configured for the cloud service provider networks, and

wherein the PE router forwards the service traffic according to the respective layer 3 routes for the cloud service provider networks, stored to the VRF of the PE router, according to the topology for the plurality of cloud services; and

providing, after the provisioning, service assurance of the end-to-end service by (1) obtaining service telemetry and analytics data for the end-to-end service from the cloud-based services exchange point, (2) analyzing the service telemetry and analytics data to identify at least one anomaly for the end-to-end service, and (3) in response to identifying the at least one anomaly, executing a remedial action to ensure the end-to-end service adheres to the service level agreement.