Blade Server Network Element Stacking Applications

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication network elements are limited by fixed ratios of processing, memory, and I/O, restricting the ability to stack multiple software applications, leading to complex and costly network topologies with significant delays in real-time communication services.

Innovation Solution

A communication network element utilizing a blade server architecture with user-selectable processing, memory, and I/O blades, allowing flexible ratios and enabling multiple communication service functions to be processed within a single network element without conventional communication stacks, using CPUs, GPUs, and FPGAs coupled by bus structures for inter-process communications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple single-function network elements are used to provide multiple communication service functions, then each function can be provided with dedicated processing resources, but the network topology becomes complex and communication delays increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication service functionsVSAvoidnetwork topology

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple single-function network elements into a single multi-functional network element by stacking multiple software applications (PCEF, HSS, AUSF, PCRF) on one platform. This merging eliminates the need for separate network elements for each function, thereby reducing network topology complexity while maintaining all required communication service functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal network element that can perform multiple communication service functions simultaneously through software application stacking. The single network element serves as a multi-functional platform that can authenticate users, route traffic, authorize services, and manage policies all within one device, eliminating the need for specialized dedicated elements for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple single-function network elements are used to provide multiple communication service functions, then each function has dedicated resources, but the number of network elements increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication service functionsVSAvoidnumber of network elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate network elements (PCEF, HSS, AUSF, PCRF) into a single stacked network element. This consolidation reduces the quantity of network elements from multiple dedicated devices to one multi-functional device, while still providing all required communication service functions through software stacking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If conventional communication stacks are used for inter-element communication, then standard protocols are maintained, but significant delays are added to real-time communication services

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication protocol standardsVSAvoidcommunication delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the communication stack processing from the conventional layered approach and eliminates it entirely by implementing direct memory-to-memory data transfer between stacked applications. This extraction removes the time-consuming OSI layer processing (physical, data link, network layers) that would otherwise be required for inter-element communication, achieving near-instantaneous data exchange while maintaining protocol compliance through application-level interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of manufacture

If fixed ratio of processing, memory, and I/O is used in computer platforms, then hardware design is simplified, but the ability to stack multiple software applications is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware designVSAvoidsoftware application stacking

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation in the stacked network element, allowing the processing, memory, and I/O resources to be dynamically adjusted and allocated to different software applications based on their specific requirements. This dynamic configuration capability enables flexible stacking of multiple applications with different resource needs, moving from fixed hardware ratios to adaptable resource distribution that supports diverse software workloads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS7948978B1Packet processing in a communication network element with stacked applications

Publication Date: 2011.05.24 T MOBILE INNOVATIONS LLC

AI summary

A communication network element receives a user packet in a packet flow for a user and stores the user packet in a memory. The network element retrieves the user packet from the memory, processes the user packet with a first service function, and stores the user packet in the memory. The network element transfers a memory pointer for the user packet to a second service function. The network element retrieves the user packet from the memory based on the memory pointer, processes the user packet with the second service function, and stores the user packet in the memory. The network element transfers the user packet.