Third-party orchestration module for a cloud exchange programmable network platform

• US 9,967,350 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2016
• Issued: 05/08/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Equinix Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Equinix Incorporated
• Inventors: Rao, Ravindra J N
• Primary Examiner(s): Abedin, Normin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Khan, Atta
• Application Number:
  US15/001,839
• Publication Number:
  US 20160337193A1
• Time in Patent Office: 839 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 programmable network platform comprises a third-party orchestration module configured to communicate with a cloud service provider (CSP) orchestration system; and a centralized network controller configured to receive a service request that specifies a cloud service applied by a CSP network operated by a CSP on a network of a cloud exchange operated by a cloud exchange provider. The CNC is further configured to, in response to the service request, invoke the third-party orchestration module to communicate with the CSP orchestration system to request that the CSP orchestrate the cloud service on the network of the cloud exchange. The CNC provisions the network of the cloud exchange within a data center to deliver the cloud service from the CSP network attached to the network of the cloud exchange to a customer network attached to the network of the cloud exchange.

Claims

1. A programmable network platform comprising:

at least one programmable processor coupled to memory;

a first third-party orchestration module stored to the memory and configured for execution by the at least one programmable processor to communicate with a first cloud service provider orchestration system;

a second third-party orchestration module stored to the memory and configured for execution by the at least one programmable processor to communicate with a second cloud service provider orchestration system; and

a centralized network controller stored to the memory and configured for execution by the at least one programmable processor to receive a first service request that specifies a first cloud service applied by a first cloud service provider network operated by a first cloud service provider and coupled to a network of a cloud exchange operated by a cloud exchange provider, the network comprising at least one layer three (L3) autonomous system located within at least one data center and a plurality of attachment circuits to connect, within the at least one data center, the first cloud service provider network and a second cloud service provider network to the L3 autonomous system,

wherein the centralized network controller is further configured to, in response to the first service request, invoke the first third-party orchestration module to communicate with the first cloud service provider orchestration system to request that the first cloud service provider orchestrate the first cloud service,

wherein the centralized network controller is further configured for execution by the at least one programmable processor to receive a second service request that specifies a second cloud service applied by the second cloud service provider network,

wherein the centralized network controller is further configured to, in response to the second service request, invoke the second third-party orchestration module to communicate with the second cloud service provider orchestration system to request that the second cloud service provider orchestrate the second cloud service,

and

wherein the centralized network controller provisions the network of the cloud exchange to deliver the first cloud service from the first cloud service provider network and to deliver the second cloud service from the second cloud service provider network to a customer network attached to the network of the cloud exchange.

2. The programmable network platform of claim 1, wherein the first third-party orchestration module registers with the programmable network platform to publish a list or catalog of services applied by the first cloud service provider network.

3. The programmable network platform of claim 2, wherein the centralized network controller is further configured to send the list or catalog of services to a customer portal application for display to a customer that operates the customer network.

4. The programmable network platform of claim 1, wherein the first third-party orchestration module is manufactured by the cloud exchange provider.

5. The programmable network platform of claim 1,

wherein the centralized network controller is further configured to receive, from the first third-party orchestration module, connectivity information for the first cloud service, and

wherein to provision the network of the cloud exchange to deliver the first cloud service, the centralized network controller is further configured to provision, based on the connectivity information, the network of the cloud exchange to enable network connectivity between the network of the cloud exchange and the first cloud service provider network for delivery of the first cloud service.

6. The programmable network platform of claim 5, wherein the connectivity information comprises at least one of a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) identifier, a Vx Local Area Network (VxLAN) identifier, a route specifying a network address of the first cloud service provider network, and a port in the network of the cloud exchange.

7. The programmable network platform of claim 1, wherein the first third-party orchestration module and the second third-party orchestration module register a common interface with the centralized network controller by which the centralized network controller can invoke the first third-party orchestration module and the second third-party orchestration module to orchestrate services.

8. The programmable network platform of claim 1,

wherein the cloud exchange comprises an edge network operated by the cloud exchange provider, and

wherein to provision the network of the cloud exchange the centralized network controller is further configured to provision the edge network to receive cloud service traffic for the first cloud service and for distribution to the customer network.

9. The programmable network platform of claim 1,

wherein the network of the cloud exchange comprises:

one or more attachment circuits configured to connect, within the data center, one or more customer networks to the L3 autonomous system, the one or more customer networks including the customer network,

wherein the centralized network controller provisions the L3 autonomous system to interconnect the first cloud service provider network, the second cloud service provider network and the one or more customer networks by establishing end-to-end network paths between the first cloud service provider network, the second cloud service provider network, and the one or more customer networks, each end-to-end network path including one of the plurality of attachment circuits connecting the respective first cloud service provider network and second cloud service provider network to the L3 autonomous system and also including one of the one or more attachment circuits connecting the respective one or more customer networks to the L3 autonomous system, and

wherein the L3 autonomous system is configured to forward cloud service traffic, received on the plurality of attachment circuits connecting the respective first cloud service provider network and second cloud service provider network along the end-to-end network paths, to the one or more attachment circuits connecting the respective one or more customer networks to the L3 autonomous system.

10. The programmable network platform of claim 1, wherein the first service request includes a service definition that specifies one or more service requirements for the first cloud service.

11. The programmable network platform of claim 1,

wherein service traffic for the first cloud service comprises network packets,

wherein to provision the network of the cloud exchange the centralized network controller is further configured to configure an edge network of the network of the cloud exchange to forward the network packets.

12. The programmable network platform of claim 1,

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

wherein to provision the network of the cloud exchange the centralized network controller is further configured to configure 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, the first cloud service provider network to the customer network.

13. A method comprising:

receiving, by a centralized network controller of a programmable network platform, a first service request that specifies a first cloud service applied by a first cloud service provider network operated by a first cloud service provider on a network of a cloud exchange operated by a cloud exchange provider, the network comprising at least one layer three (L3) autonomous system located within at least one data center and a plurality of attachment circuits to connect, within the at least one data center, the first cloud service provider network and a second cloud service provider network to the L3 autonomous system;

invoking, by the centralized network controller in response to the first service request, a first third-party orchestration module to communicate with a first cloud service provider orchestration system to request that the first cloud service provider orchestrate the first cloud service;

receiving, by the centralized network controller, a second service request that specifies a second cloud service applied by the second cloud service provider network operated by a second cloud service provider on the network of the cloud exchange;

invoking, by the centralized network controller in response to the second service request, a second third-party orchestration module to communicate with a second cloud service provider orchestration system to request that the second cloud service provider orchestrate the second cloud service; and

provisioning, by the centralized network controller, the network of the cloud exchange to deliver the first cloud service from the first cloud service provider network and to deliver the second cloud service from the second cloud service provider network to a customer network attached to the cloud exchange.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving, by the centralized network controller from the first third-party orchestration module, a list of services offered by the first cloud service provider network.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the centralized network controller is further configured to send the list of services to a customer portal application for display to a customer that operates the customer network.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving, by the centralized network controller from the first third-party orchestration module, connectivity information for the first cloud service,

wherein to provision the network of the cloud exchange to deliver the first cloud service, the centralized network controller provisions, based on the connectivity information, the network of the cloud exchange to enable network connectivity between the network of the cloud exchange and the first cloud service provider network for delivery of the first cloud service.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the connectivity information comprises at least one of a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) identifier, a Vx Local Area Network (VxLAN) identifier, a route specifying a network address of the first cloud service provider network, and a port in the cloud exchange.

18. The method of claim 13,

wherein the network for the cloud exchange comprises an edge network operated by the first cloud exchange provider, and

wherein to provision the network for the cloud exchange the centralized network controller provisions the edge network to receive cloud service traffic for the first cloud service and for distribution to the customer network.

19. A network data center comprising:

a cloud exchange comprising a network including at least one layer three (L3) autonomous system and a plurality of attachment circuits to connect the first cloud service provider network and a second cloud service provider network to the L3 autonomous system, the cloud exchange operated by a cloud exchange provider; and

a programmable network platform comprising;

at least one programmable processor coupled to memory;

a first third-party orchestration module stored to the memory and configured for execution by the at least one programmable processor to communicate with a first cloud service provider orchestration system;

a second third-party orchestration module stored to the memory and configured for execution by the at least one programmable processor to communicate with a second cloud service provider orchestration system; and

a centralized network controller stored to the memory and configured for execution by the at least one programmable processor to receive a first service request that specifies a first cloud service applied by a first cloud service provider network operated by a first cloud service provider and coupled to the network of the cloud exchange,

wherein the centralized network controller is further configured to, in response to the first service request, invoke the first third-party orchestration module to communicate with the first cloud service provider orchestration system to request that the first cloud service provider orchestrate the first cloud service,

wherein the centralized network controller is further configured to receive a second service request that specifies a second cloud service applied by a second cloud service provider network operated by a second cloud service provider and coupled to the network of the cloud exchange,

wherein the centralized network controller is further configured to, in response to the second service request, invoke the second third-party orchestration module to communicate with the second cloud service provider orchestration system to request that the second cloud service provider orchestrate the second cloud service, and

wherein the centralized network controller provisions the network of the cloud exchange to deliver the first cloud service from the first cloud service provider network and to deliver the second cloud service from the second cloud service provider network to a customer network attached to the network of the cloud exchange.