Data center networks

Abstract

Measures for routing data packets in a data center network are provided. A packet forwarding function in a server in a data center network is configured to forward data packets to/from virtual systems hosted on that server. The packet forwarding function is configured to make forwarding decisions for received data packets based on the destination internet protocol (IP) address of the received data packet, and forward the data packet at least on the basis of the forwarding decision.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method, comprising:
 receiving a closure notification relating to a closure of a first virtual system on a server;   removing a virtual connection between the first virtual system on the server and a packet forwarding function on the server;   updating a packet forwarding data store that is used by the packet forwarding function to forward packets, wherein updating the packet forward data store includes removing from the packet forwarding data store an entry corresponding to the first virtual system; and   transmitting a packet forwarding update message to one or more servers in a data center network.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the entry corresponding to the first virtual system includes an internet protocol address of the first virtual system and an identifier of the virtual connection. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising removing from an address translation data store a second entry corresponding to the first virtual system. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the second entry corresponding to the first virtual system includes an internet protocol address of the first virtual system and a media access control address of the first virtual system. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the closure notification is received from an orchestrator of the server. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the packet forwarding update message at least includes an internet protocol address of the first virtual system. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the packet forwarding update message at least includes an internet protocol address of the server. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein in response to receiving the packet forwarding update message, the one or more servers update corresponding packet forwarding data stores to remove entries that correspond to the first virtual system. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the corresponding packet forwarding data stores identify the server as a next hop internet protocol address for the first virtual system. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising transmitting a packet forwarding update message to a route reflector. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the route reflector is a border gateway entity. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the packet forwarding update message is a border gateway protocol message. 
     
     
         14 . A system, comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory coupled with the processor, wherein the memory is configured to provide the processor with instructions which when executed cause the processor to:
 receive a closure notification relating to a closure of a first virtual system on a server; 
 remove a virtual connection between the first virtual system on the server and a packet forwarding function on the server; 
 update a packet forwarding data store that is used by the packet forwarding function to forward packets, wherein updating the packet forward data store includes removing an entry corresponding to the first virtual system from the packet forwarding data store; and 
 transmit a packet forwarding update message to one or more servers in a data center network. 
   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the entry corresponding to the first virtual system includes an internet protocol address of the first virtual system and an identifier of the virtual connection. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the instructions which when executed cause the processor to remove from an address translation data store a second entry corresponding to the first virtual system. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the second entry corresponding to the first virtual system includes an internet protocol address of the first virtual system and a media access control address of the first virtual system. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the packet forwarding update message at least includes an internet protocol address of the first virtual system and an internet protocol address of the server. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein in response to receiving the packet forwarding update message, the one or more servers are configured to update corresponding packet forwarding data stores to remove entries that correspond to the first virtual system. 
     
     
         20 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor cause a computing device to perform a method comprising:
 receiving a closure notification relating to a closure of a first virtual system on a server;   removing a virtual connection between the first virtual system on the server and a packet forwarding function on the server;   updating a packet forwarding data store that is used by the packet forwarding function to forward packets, wherein updating the packet forward data store includes removing an entry corresponding to the first virtual system from the packet forwarding data store; and   transmitting a packet forwarding update message to one or more servers in a data center network.   
     
     
         21 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 20 , wherein the entry corresponding to the first virtual system includes an internet protocol address of the first virtual system and an identifier of the virtual connection.