Multiple cloud services delivery by a cloud exchange

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016337474-A1
Application number	US-201615001822-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 20, 2016
Priority date	May 12, 2015
Publication date	Nov 17, 2016
Grant date	—

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.

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 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 provisioning, by the programmable network platform 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.

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, 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 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 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, 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 an overall 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 an overall 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 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.

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 respective layer 3 routes for the cloud service provider networks, 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 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.

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, 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 an overall service comprising the plurality of cloud services.

19 . The network data center of claim 13 , wherein the service request specifies a service identifier f

Assignees

• Equinix Inc

Inventors

• Rao Ravindra Jn

Classifications

• H04L41/5096

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

• H04L45/586

  of virtual routers · CPC title

• H04L67/142

  Managing session states for stateless protocols; Signalling session states; State transitions; Keeping-state mechanisms · CPC title

• H04L41/5051

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

• H04L41/5025

  by proactively reacting to service quality change, e.g. by reconfiguration after service quality degradation or upgrade · CPC title