APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR NETWORK AND COMPUTATIONAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FOR SERVICE-ORIENTED COMMUNICATIONS WITHIN A SOFTWARE-DEFINED NETWORK ARCHITECTURE - Patent application

Abstract

An apparatus and method for network resource management and computational resource management for service-oriented communications within a software-defined network architecture (SDN), wherein an SDN control unit (138) monitors network traffic within a communications network (100), the SDN control unit (138) receives data about computational resource usage and service-oriented communications within the communications network (100), the SDN control unit (138) determines network resource settings and computational resource settings in response to an evaluation of the data, and the SDN control unit (138) configures the network resources and computational resources in response to the network resource settings and computational resource settings.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for network and computational resource management for service-oriented communication within a software-defined network architecture. Summary of the Invention

[0002] A method for network and computing resource management for service-oriented communication in a software-defined network architecture SDN contemplates that an SDN controller monitors network traffic in a communication network, the SDN controller receives data on computing resource usage and service-oriented communication in the communication network, the SDN controller determines network and computing resource settings according to the result of evaluation of the data, and the SDN controller configures the network and computing resources according to the network and computing resource settings. The service-oriented communication automatically finds services in the communication network 100 that must communicate with each other. The network and computing resource management of the SDN controller adapts the communication network to the requirements of the services.

[0003] Preferably, depending on the results of the evaluation of the data, an allocation of instances of the services to the control devices and message paths is determined, which message paths exchange instances with each other, which instances characterize the network resource configuration and the computational resource configuration, thereby avoiding congestion on the data lines in the communication network and overloading the control devices.

[0004] For example, if congestion on a data line of a communication network is identified as a result of the data evaluation and a network switch of the communication network forwards a message to this data line, the network switch is configured by network settings not to forward the message to this data line.

[0005] For example, if an overloaded control device is identified as a result of the evaluation of the data and an instance of a service is running on this control device, the instance is configured by resource settings to not send offers for the service or to not respond to requests arriving at the service.

[0006] For example, if an overloaded control device is identified as a result of the evaluation of the data and an instance of a service is running on this control device, at least one network switch is configured in the network settings not to forward offers for the service from this instance.

[0007] An apparatus for network and computational resource management for service-oriented communication in a software-defined network architecture SDN contemplates that an SDN controller is configured to monitor network traffic in the communication network, the SDN controller is configured to receive data on computational resource usage and service-oriented communication in the communication network, the SDN controller is configured to determine network and computational resource settings depending on the result of evaluation of the data, and the SDN controller is configured to configure the network and computational resources depending on the network and computational resource settings. This apparatus allows the communication network to adapt to service requirements.

[0008] The SDN control unit is preferably configured to determine, depending on the result of the evaluation of the data, the allocation of instances of the service to control devices and message paths which exchange instances with each other, which instances characterize the network resource configuration and the computational resource configuration.

[0009] The SDN control unit is configured, for example, to, when congestion on a data line of a communication network is recognized as a result of data evaluation and a network switch of the communication network forwards a message to this data line, configure the network switch by network settings not to forward the message to this data line.

[0010] The SDN control unit is configured, for example, to configure, if as a result of the evaluation of the data, an overloaded control device is recognized and an instance of a service runs on this control device, the instance by resource configuration not to send offers for the service or not to respond to requests arriving at the service.

[0011] The SDN control unit is configured, for example, to configure at least one network switch, by network settings, if an overloaded control device is recognized as a result of the evaluation of the data and an instance of a service is running on this control device, so as not to forward offers for the service from this instance.

[0012] In one example, the communication network includes a control device, at least one network switch, and / or at least one gateway of a vehicle, an industrial system, or an IoT system, and the SDN control unit is configured to install, update, activate or deactivate an instance of a service on the control device in accordance with the network resource settings and / or the computational resource settings, and / or the SDN control unit is configured to configure the at least one network switch and / or the at least one gateway to forward or not forward messages from and / or to the service or its instances in accordance with the network resource settings and / or the computational resource settings.

[0013] The computer program may be contemplated as comprising computer readable instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the method to proceed.

[0014] Further advantageous embodiments can be seen from the following description and the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a communication network having a software-defined network architecture. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates method steps for network and computational resource management for service-oriented communication within a software-defined network architecture. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] In FIG. 1, a portion of a communication network 100 is shown diagrammatically. The communication network 100 is a software-defined communication network (SDN) having a software-defined network architecture (SDN architecture). The control unit of the communication network 100 is separated from the message forwarding function within the communication network 100. The control unit is programmable independently of the forwarding function.

[0017] The communication network 100 includes a service-oriented architecture. The underlying infrastructure of the communication network 100, i.e., the hardware of the communication network 100, is agnostic to the services, i.e., the software, that run within the communication network 100. Instances of services run on suitable equipment in the infrastructure. An instance is the source or destination of a message. A source's message is forwarded to its destination via a path in the infrastructure defined by the SDN architecture.

[0018] The communication network 100, in the example, includes a first control device 102 connected to a second network switch 106 via a first network switch 104. The second network switch 106 is connected to a third network switch 108 and a fourth network switch 110. The second network switch 106 is connected to a second control device 112. The third network switch 108 is connected to a third control device 114. The fourth network switch 110 is connected to a fourth control device 116.

[0019] These controls and network switches are located in the vehicle 118 in the example. The communication network 100 includes a data line 120 of a first network type within a first portion of the communication network 100. The control devices and the network switches are configured to communicate over the data line 120 based on a first protocol of the first network type. The first network type is, in an example, a technology related to wired data networks interconnecting software and / or hardware. In an example, the data line 120 is a LAN cable and the protocol is Ethernet. Ethernet allows data exchange between the control devices as end devices.

[0020] Respective data lines 120, i.e. LAN cables, physically connect the second control device 112 to the second network switch 106, the third control device 114 to the third network switch 108, and the fourth control device 116 to the fourth network switch 110. In the example, no physical data lines are provided between any of the second control device 112, the third control device 114, and the fourth control device 116, respectively, to the other control devices or to one of the network switches.

[0021] One data line 120 is disposed between the second network switch 106 and the third network switch 108, and one data line 120 is disposed between the third network switch 108 and the fourth network switch 110. One data line 120 is disposed between the second network switch 106 and the first network switch 102, one data line 120 is disposed between the third network switch 108 and the first network switch 102, and one data line 120 is disposed between the fourth network switch 110 and the first network switch 102.

[0022] In the example, none of the data lines 120 are provided with active network equipment. The second control device 112, the third control device 114, and the fourth control device 116 are connected to a second part of the communication network 100. The second control device 112, the third control device 114, and the fourth control device 116 are configured to communicate via a line 122 of a second network type and based on a second protocol of the second network type. The second network type is, in an example, a technology related to wired data networks interconnecting software and / or hardware. In an example, the line 122 is a twisted pair cable and the protocol is a controller area network protocol. The controller area network protocol allows data exchange between these control devices as end devices based on a predefined pattern. The line 122 does not include active network devices in an example.

[0023] The first control device 102 is not, in the example, connected to the second part of the network via one of the lines 122 . From the second control device 112, in the example, a first instance 124 of the first service is presented. From the third control device 114, in the example, a second instance 126 of the first service is presented. From the fourth control device 116, in the example, a first instance 128 of the second service is presented. From the first control device 102, in the example, a second instance 130 of the second service is presented. From the second control device 112, in the example, an instance 132 of the third service that is unique within the communication network 100 is presented. From the first control device 102, in the example, an instance 134 of the fourth service that is unique within the communication network 100 is presented. From the third control device 114, in the example, an instance 136 of the fifth service that is unique within the communication network 100 is presented.

[0024] The first control device 102, in this example, is provided with an SDN control unit 138 configured to control the SDN. The SDN control unit 138 is, in particular, a logically unified control unit and is implemented on a software basis.

[0025] The SDN control unit 138, in an example, is configured to transmit an instance of the service to each of the control devices on which the service should be executed. The SDN control unit 138, in an example, is configured to activate the instance on one or more control devices on which the service should be executed. The SDN control unit 138, in an example, is configured to deactivate the instance on one or more control devices on which the service should not be executed.

[0026] A service that requires another service for its functionality is in an example configured to find this other service in the communication network 100. For example, the service is configured to search for requests to this other service via the communication network 100. In an example, an instance of this service is configured to find an instance of another service. The service or the instance is configured to send a request, notably as a broadcast, within the communication network 100. A service that offers its functionality to other services is in an example configured to offer via the communication network 100. For example, the service is configured to offer its offer via the communication network 100. In an example, the service or an instance of this service is configured to send an offer, notably as a broadcast, within the communication network 100.

[0027] Data flows between sources and destinations, i.e. messages sent from one instance to another, are transported within the communication network 100. If too many data flows are simultaneously passing through the same data line 120 or the same network switch, congestion can occur. If too many instances of different services are used on one of the control devices, this control device can become overloaded.

[0028] The following procedure avoids congestion and / or overloading of the control device: In this method, the SDN control unit 138 performs network resource management and computational resource management.

[0029] The SDN controller 138, in an example, is configured to monitor network traffic within the communication network 100. The SDN controller 138, in an example, is configured to receive offers and / or requests occurring within the network traffic.

[0030] The SDN controller 138 is illustratively configured to evaluate received offers and / or requests. The SDN controller 138 is illustratively configured to recognize existing or potential congestion on the data line 120. The SDN controller 138 is illustratively configured to deactivate forwarding of messages from the data flow over the data line 120 if the data line 120 would thereby become overloaded.

[0031] The SDN controller 138, in an example, is configured to recognize whether a control device is overloaded or would become overloaded due to activation of an instance. The SDN controller 138, in an example, is configured to control the use of instances in the communication network 100 and / or the allocation of instances to control devices such that overloading of the control devices is avoided.

[0032] This procedure is illustrated using an example of the method illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. In step 202, the SDN controller 138 monitors network traffic within the communication network 100, and the SDN controller 138 receives data about computational resource usage and service-oriented communications within the communication network 100.

[0033] In an example, the SDN controller 138 monitors network traffic and collects data including, for example: Information about available instances of a service and the allocation of available instances to control devices. This data is available, for example, as part of offers and / or requests occurring in the network traffic, for example as messages based on the Scalable Service-Oriented Middleware over Internet Protocol (SOME / IP protocol) or the Data Distribution Service (DDS).

[0034] Demands on the communication network 100 and computational resources. This information can for example be derived from a description of the service. For example, this description includes information about the quality of the service. This description is for example included in the offer and / or request based on SOME / IP or DDS, among others.

[0035] Network Topology. The network topology is determined, for example, via a separate protocol, for example the Link-Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP).

[0036] Computational resource availability of the control device. This information is known, for example, by an internal scheduling model or communicated from the control device, inter alia, regularly or irregularly or based on a request by the SDN control unit 138. The control device may also be intended to communicate this information triggered by an outcome, for example the temporary unavailability of an instance of a service on the control device.

[0037] In step 204, the SDN control unit 138 determines network and computational resource configurations depending on the results of the evaluation of the data. In the example, the SDN controller 138 determines the allocation of service instances to control devices and message paths that exchange instances with each other, i.e. paths for the corresponding data flows.

[0038] The allocation is in the example determined according to the computational resource availability of the control devices, such that the control devices offering the service are not overloaded. The allocation is, in the example, determined according to at least one network resource of the communication network 100 such that congestion does not occur on the data lines 120 or on the network switches within the communication network 100 .

[0039] For this purpose, for example, an optimization problem is formulated and solved. The optimization problem can be formulated as a constraint satisfaction problem (CSP) or heuristically.

[0040] The solution of the optimization problem is, in examples, the assignment of instances to control devices and / or the assignment of paths to pairs of instances. In step 206, the SDN control unit 138 sets the network resources and the computational resources according to the network resource settings and the computational resource settings.

[0041] In the example, the SDN controller 138 implements the results of the evaluation of the data, in particular the solution of the optimization problem, within the communication network 100. In the example, the SDN control unit 138 sends instructions that cause the following: The SDN control unit 138 programs the table to look up the network switch to route messages between pairs of instances via paths defined for this purpose.

[0042] The SDN control unit 138 configures the instances to communicate with each other. In one example, a protocol is defined by which the SDN control unit 138 informs the instances whether they should be active or deactivated. In another example, an addendum to SOME / IP or DDS is defined by which the SDN control unit 138 instructs the instances not to send offers or respond to requests. In an example, the SDN control unit 138 instructs instances that are otherwise running on an overloaded control device not to send offers or respond to requests.

[0043] If a service has two instances, the SDN control unit 138 instructs the network switch to reject broadcasts offered by this service by one of the instances. In an example, the SDN control unit 138 instructs the network switch to reject broadcasts from instances running on an otherwise overloaded control device.

[0044] For example, if congestion exists between the second network switch 106 and the third network switch 108, then with respect to the first instance 124 of the first service on the second control device 112 and the second instance 126 of the first service on the third control device 114, the network switch is configured to reject a broadcast from the second instance 126 of the first service, i.e. with an offer of the first service, from the third control device 114. Rejection in this context means that this broadcast, even if received at the network switch, is not forwarded by the network switch. With respect to the second service, for example, a similar procedure is followed if it is recognized that congestion would occur due to the data flow of the second service.

[0045] For example, when an overload exists on one of the control devices and one of multiple instances of a service is presented on this control device, the SDN control unit 138 instructs the network switch to reject a broadcast in which the service is presented from the instance running on the overloaded control device.

[0046] With regard to the first instance 124 of the first service on the second control device 112 and the second instance 126 of the first service on the third control device 114, the network switch is configured to reject a broadcast from the first instance 124 of the first service, i.e. with an offer for the first service, from the second control device 112, e.g. if the second control device 112 is overloaded. Rejection in this context means that this broadcast, even if received at the network switch, is not forwarded by the network switch.

[0047] The method and the apparatus may be used in vehicle architectures, especially in their gateways or switches, in control equipment, in vehicle computers, in systems at the border of the communication network 100. The method and the apparatus may be used in industrial or IoT systems, especially in their gateways or switches.

Claims

1. 1. A method for network and computing resource management for service-oriented communication in a software-defined network architecture SDN, comprising: an SDN control unit (138) monitors (202) network traffic in a communication network (100); the SDN control unit (138) receives data about computing resource usage and service-oriented communication in the communication network (100); the SDN control unit (138) determines (204) network and computing resource settings in response to an evaluation of the data; and the SDN control unit (138) configures (206) the network and computing resources in response to the network and computing resource settings.

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein, depending on the result of the evaluation of the data, an allocation of instances of services to control devices and message paths is determined (204), the message paths exchange the instances with each other, and the instances characterize the network resource configuration and the computational resource configuration.

3. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein if the result of the evaluation of the data indicates congestion on a data line (120) of the communication network (100) and a network switch of the communication network (100) forwards a message to the data line (120), the network switch is configured (206) by the network settings not to forward the message to the data line (120).

4. 4. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that if in the result of the evaluation of the data an overloaded control device is recognised on which an instance of a service runs, the instance is configured by the resource configuration not to send offers for the service or not to respond to requests arriving at the service.

5. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein if in the result of the evaluation of the data an overloaded control device is recognized and an instance of a service is running on the control device, at least one network switch is configured by the network configuration not to forward offers for the service from the instance.

6. 20. An apparatus for network and computing resource management for service-oriented communication in a software-defined network architecture SDN, comprising: an SDN control unit (138) configured to monitor network traffic in a communication network (100); the SDN control unit (138) configured to receive data about computing resource usage and service-oriented communication in the communication network (100); the SDN control unit (138) configured to determine (204) network and computing resource settings in response to an evaluation of the data; and the SDN control unit (138) configured to configure the network and computing resources in response to the network and computing resource settings.

7. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the SDN control unit (138) is configured to determine an allocation of service instances to control devices and message paths depending on the result of the evaluation of the data, the message paths exchanging the instances with each other, the instances characterizing the network resource configuration and the computational resource configuration.

8. 8. The device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the SDN control unit (138) is configured to, if in the result of the evaluation of the data congestion on a data line (120) of the communication network (100) is recognized and a network switch of the communication network (100) forwards a message to the data line (120), configure the network switch by the network settings not to forward the message to the data line (120).

9. 9. The device according to claim 6, wherein the SDN control unit (138) is configured to, if in the result of the evaluation of the data an overloaded control device is recognized and an instance of a service runs on the control device, configure the instance according to the resource configuration not to send offers for the service or not to respond to requests arriving at the service.

10. 10. The device according to claim 6, wherein the SDN control unit (138) is configured to, if in the result of the evaluation of the data an overloaded control device is recognized and an instance of a service is running on the control device, configure at least one network switch by the network configuration not to forward offers for the service from the instance.

11. 11. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the communication network (100) comprises a control device (102, 112, 114, 116), at least one network switch (104, 106, 108, 110), and / or at least one gateway of a vehicle (118), an industrial system, or an IoT system, and the SDN control unit (138) is configured to activate or deactivate an instance of a service on the control device (102, 112, 114, 116) according to the network resource configuration and / or computational resource configuration, and / or the SDN control unit (138) is configured to configure at least one network switch (104, 106, 108, 110) and / or at least one gateway to forward or not forward messages from and / or to a service or an instance thereof according to the network resource configuration and / or computational resource configuration.

12. A computer program comprising computer readable instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the method of any one of claims 1 to 5 to proceed.

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