AI WAN Link Selection to Prevent SD-WAN Thrashing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing SD-WAN systems often switch between WAN links based on immediate-term network conditions, leading to thrashing and significant overhead due to frequent changes in network instability, without considering the stability of links over time.

Innovation Solution

Implement a network analysis system using machine learning to predict WAN link stability based on past and current conditions, allowing for informed decisions on when to reassigned applications to more stable links, minimizing unnecessary switches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If SD-WAN systems switch between WAN links based on immediate-term network conditions, then network performance can be optimized for current conditions, but system overhead increases significantly due to frequent link switching and thrashing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoidsystem overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using machine learning models to predict future WAN link stability before actual performance degradation occurs. The system analyzes historical and current link characteristics to forecast stability metrics, allowing the SD-WAN controller to proactively maintain applications on currently stable links even if immediate conditions suggest switching. This prevents the thrashing effect of frequent switches by acting in advance based on predicted future states rather than reacting to current degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If SD-WAN systems frequently switch WAN links in response to network instability, then link reliability can be improved, but system stability deteriorates due to thrashing and excessive switching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelink reliabilityVSAvoidsystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring WAN link characteristics and feeding this data into machine learning models that predict future stability. The system uses historical performance data, current link metrics, and predicted future states to make informed decisions. This feedback loop allows the system to distinguish between transient instability and sustained degradation, switching links only when predictions indicate prolonged instability, thereby maintaining system stability while still improving link reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of manufacture

If SD-WAN systems use traditional threshold-based link selection, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to varying network conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to network conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from static threshold-based link selection to dynamic machine learning models that continuously adapt to varying network conditions. The system collects and analyzes multiple parameters including historical link performance, current network metrics, and predicted stability indicators. These models automatically adjust their predictions based on changing patterns in the data, enabling the system to adapt to diverse and evolving network conditions while maintaining a unified implementation framework that builds upon existing SD-WAN architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12476918B2AI-assisted WAN link selection for SD-WAN services
Publication Date: 2025.11.18 JUNIPER NETWORKS INC
  • US12476918B2 patent drawing
  • US12476918B2 patent drawing
  • US12476918B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An example method includes receiving, by a software-defined networking in a wide area network (SD-WAN) system having a first WAN link and a second WAN link for an SD-WAN service, WAN link characterization data for the first WAN link over a time period; determining, by the SD-WAN system based on processing the WAN link characterization data for the first WAN link using a machine learning model trained with historical WAN link characterization data for one or more WAN links, an indicator of a predicted performance metric of the first WAN link at a future time; and reassigning, by the SD-WAN system based on the indicator, an application from the first WAN link to the second WAN link.