Managing persistent TCP connections in an IPVS environment

A method for managing a connection in an internet protocol virtual server (IPVS), the method comprising:

• receiving at least a portion of checkpoint data from a first end node of the IPVS, the checkpoint data including information for restoring a connection of the first end node and information representing a current state of the connection;
• transmitting at least the portion of checkpoint data to a second end node of the IPVS;
• storing at least the portion of checkpoint data in association with connection data for the connection;
• updating the connection data with information about the second end node;
• and
• forwarding an incoming data packet for the connection to the second end node, in accordance with updated connection data, by:
• identifying, using the checkpoint data, the second end node as a new destination node for the incoming packet;
• and
• updating the incoming data packet by inserting an address of the second end node as a new destination address of the incoming data packet.

An end node of an internet protocol virtual server (IPVS), the end node comprising a processing device configured to cause the end node to:

• receive a trigger to initiate checkpointing of an active connection of the end node;
• transmit at least a portion of checkpoint data to a load balancer of the IPVS, the checkpoint data including information for restoring the active connection and for representing a current state of the active connection, the information including connection-specific data stored locally at the end node, the connection-specific data including at least one of an encryption key, a sequence number, handshake information or transmission control protocol (TCP) connection information;
• and
• terminate the active connection.

A load balancer of an internet protocol virtual server (IPVS), the load balancer comprising a processing device configured to cause the load balancer to:

• receive at least a portion of checkpoint data from a first end node of the IPVS, the checkpoint data including information for restoring a connection of the first end node and information representing a current state of the connection;
• transmit at least the portion of checkpoint data to a second end node of the IPVS;
• store, in a memory of the load balancer, at least the portion of checkpoint data in association with connection data for the connection;
• update the connection data with information about the second end node;
• and
• forward an incoming data packet for the connection to the second end node, in accordance with updated connection data, by:
• identifying, using the checkpoint data, the second end node as a new destination node for the incoming packet;
• and
• updating the incoming data packet by inserting an address of the second end node as a new destination address of the incoming data packet.