Access Controller Message Routing for Network Maintenance Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In current access network architectures, each access node must support a relay function for message transmission, leading to high operation and maintenance costs and complexity due to the need for continuous configuration updates with new services.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a software-defined networking approach by introducing an access controller that separates the control plane from the access node, allowing the access controller to process messages and eliminate the need for the access node to support relay functions, thereby reducing maintenance complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each access node supports relay function for message transmission, then message transmission between client device and relay server is achieved, but operation and maintenance costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control plane function from the access node and relocates it to the access controller. The access controller is responsible for obtaining line identifiers and processing messages, while the access node only performs simple forwarding without needing to support relay functions. This separation eliminates the complexity of configuring relay functions at each access node while maintaining message transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The access controller acts as an intermediary between the access node and the relay server. It receives messages from access nodes, obtains the necessary line identifiers, processes the messages appropriately, and forwards them to the relay server. This intermediary role centralizes the control logic and eliminates the need for access nodes to implement complex relay functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If control plane of each access node is configured to implement relay function, then message relay is enabled, but operation and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control plane configuration is extracted from access nodes and consolidated in the access controller. The access controller maintains the relay function capability centrally, while access nodes are simplified to basic forwarding devices. This extraction significantly reduces the operational and maintenance burden on individual access nodes while preserving the system's adaptability and relay capabilities.
3Productivity
If access node supports relay function, then message transmission path is established, but complexity of control plane configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control plane and data plane functions. The access controller handles all control plane operations including obtaining line identifiers and processing messages, while access nodes focus solely on data plane forwarding. This segmentation simplifies the control plane configuration at access nodes while maintaining efficient message transmission through the established communication path.
Data Source
AI summary
In a message transmission method, an access controller receives a first message from an access node, and the first message includes a first identifier. The access controller obtains a line identifier according to the first identifier. The access controller obtains a second message according to the line identifier, and the second message includes the line identifier. The access controller sends the second message to a relay server.