BNG Pool Routing via Access Node Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current broadband network gateway (BNG) deployments lack efficient redundancy and scalability, leading to high costs and limited flexibility, as well as the inability to perform automatic load balancing between BNGs for customer equipment connections.
Innovation Solution
A device and method for routing datagrams between customer equipment and a pool of BNGs, which establishes connections between customer equipment and BNGs, maps these connections dynamically based on availability and capacity, and performs load balancing to ensure efficient resource utilization and redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each BNG maintains a layer-2 connection with each CE to achieve redundancy, then redundancy is provided, but the number of connections scales quadratically with system size, making it inefficient in terms of scalability, maintenance and provisioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an access node as an intermediary device that consolidates layer-2 connections from multiple CEs and forwards them to BNGs via IP-based transport networks. This intermediary architecture reduces the quadratic scaling of direct connections to linear scaling, where each CE connects to the access node and each BNG connects to the access node, eliminating the need for every BNG to maintain direct connections with every CE while still providing redundancy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical layer-2 connection system with an IP-based transport network system. Instead of maintaining numerous layer-2 connections between CEs and BNGs, the system uses IP routing over standard transport networks, which simplifies the connection model and enables more efficient scalability while maintaining the same redundancy objectives
2Reliability
If point-to-point or point to multipoint links are provided in the transport network for each CE, then redundancy is achieved, but the cost efficiency and flexibility are significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The access node serves multiple functions: it acts as a layer-2 aggregator for CEs, an IP router for transport network communication, and a load balancer for distributing traffic across multiple BNGs. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated infrastructure for each function, improving cost efficiency while maintaining redundancy capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of layer-2 switching, IP routing, and load balancing into a single access node architecture. By combining these functions, the system reduces infrastructure costs and improves flexibility compared to having separate dedicated systems for each function, while still achieving the required redundancy
3Reliability
If 1+1 BNG redundancy is implemented, then redundancy is provided, but it is far from being an optimal redundancy solution in terms of cost efficiency and flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic load balancing that can adapt to changing network conditions, BNG availability, and traffic patterns. Unlike static 1+1 redundancy, the system can dynamically redistribute connections across multiple BNGs based on real-time conditions, providing both redundancy and flexibility. The access node continuously monitors BNG status and can reroute traffic dynamically without requiring manual reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the redundancy model from fixed 1+1 pairing to a flexible N-way load balancing architecture where any BNG can serve any CE through the access node. This parameter change in the redundancy approach allows for better resource utilization, improved flexibility, and enhanced adaptability to various network scenarios while maintaining the same level of reliability
Data Source
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AI summary
A technique for routing datagrams between costumer equipments, CEs, (102) and a pool (110) of broadband network gateways, BNGs, (112) is provided. As to a device aspect (120) of the technique, a first establishing unit (122) is configured to establish a first connection (123) between the device (120) and each of the CEs (102). A second establishing unit (124) is configured to establish a second connection (125) between the device (120) and each BNG (112) in the pool (110) of BNGs (112). A mapping unit (126) is configured to map each of the first connections (123) to one of the second connections (125). The mapping specifies the routing of the datagrams.