Multi-cloud, multi-service data model

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10015268-B2
Application number	US-201615001766-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 20, 2016
Priority date	May 12, 2015
Publication date	Jul 3, 2018
Grant date	Jul 3, 2018

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 to receive a service request that includes a service definition according to a data model, wherein the service definition 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 wherein the service definition specifies each of the plurality of cloud services according to a common micro-service definition; 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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

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 includes a service definition according to a data model,
wherein the service definition 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 definition specifies each of the plurality of cloud services according to a common micro-service definition that specifies:
a first endpoint of the cloud-based services exchange point, wherein the first endpoint identifies a first cloud service provider and specifies first endpoint-specific data that specifies at least one of a port, data center, and metro location for the first endpoint within the cloud-based services exchange point, and
a second endpoint of the cloud-based services exchange point, wherein the second endpoint identifies one of a customer and a second cloud service provider and specifies second endpoint-specific data that specifies at least one of a port, data center, and metro location for the second endpoint within the cloud-based services exchange point, and
wherein the service request further specifies a topology for the plurality of cloud services; and
provisioning, by the programmable network platform responsive to the service request, the cloud-based services exchange point to forward service traffic, between respective first endpoints and respective second endpoints of the cloud services specified according to the common micro-service definition, 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.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the service definition identifies the service request as a request for the plurality of cloud services.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the service definition includes an authoritative service owner for an overall service comprising the plurality of cloud services.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the authoritative service owner is a cloud exchange provider that operates the cloud-based services exchange.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the service definition includes a service identifier for an overall service comprising the plurality of cloud services.

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

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the service definition includes a value specifying a number of the plurality of cloud services.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the common micro-service definition specifies a policy definition that defines a policy to apply to a cloud service.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the common micro-service definition specifies a quality of service definition that defines a quality of service to apply to a cloud service.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the common micro-service definition specifies a time range definition that defines a range of time during which the cloud-based services exchange is to provide assurance of the delivery of a cloud service by the cloud-based services exchange.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein to specify the plurality of cloud services the service definition includes an array of a plurality of micro-service definitions that define corresponding cloud services of the plurality of cloud services.

12. 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 includes a service definition according to a data model, wherein the service definition 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 definition specifies each of the plurality of cloud services according to a common micro-service definition that specifies:
a first endpoint of the cloud-based services exchange point, wherein the first endpoint identifies a first cloud service provider and specifies first endpoint-specific data that specifies at least one of a port, data center, and metro location for the first endpoint within the cloud-based services exchange point, and
a second endpoint of the cloud-based services exchange point, wherein the second endpoint identifies one of a customer and a second cloud service provider and specifies second endpoint-specific data that specifies at least one of a port, data center, and metro location for the second endpoint within the cloud-based services exchange point, and
wherein the service request further specifies a topology for the plurality of cloud services, and wherein the service definition specifies each of the plurality of cloud services according to a common micro-service definition for the data model; and
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.

13. The network data center of claim 12 , wherein the common micro-service definition specifies a policy definition that defines a policy to apply to a cloud service.

14. The network data center of claim 12 , wherein the common micro-service definition specifies a quality of service definition that defines a quality of service to apply to a cloud service.

15. The network data center of claim 12 , wherein the common micro-service definition specifies a time range definition that defines a range of time during which the cloud-based services exchange is to provide assurance of the delivery of a cloud service by the cloud-based services exchange.

16. The network data center of claim 12 , wherein to specify the plurality of cloud services the service definition includes an array of a plurality of micro-service definitions that define corresponding cloud services of the plurality of cloud services.

17. 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 includes a service definition according to a data model, wherein the service definition 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 definition specifies each of the plurality of cloud services according to a common mic

Assignees

• Equinix Inc

Inventors

• Rao Ravindra J N

Classifications

• H04L41/5096

  wherein the managed service relates to distributed or central networked applications · CPC title

• H04L41/5051

  Service on demand, e.g. definition and deployment of services in real time · CPC title

• H04L41/20

  Network management software packages · CPC title

• H04L12/4641

  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 title

• H04L49/10

  characterised by the switching fabric construction · CPC title