Optical Transport Network for CDN Cache Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Content Delivery Networks (CDN) face limitations in efficiently distributing and synchronizing high-capacity data due to reliance on conventional IP transport networks, which are not designed for directed high-capacity data streams, leading to network bottlenecks and increased infrastructure costs, and require frequent optimization to manage high temporal and spatial dynamics.

Innovation Solution

A passive transparent optically routed transport network architecture that operates below layer 3 of the OSI model, enabling direct transparent optical connections between CDN origin and cache nodes, and between cache nodes, using DWDM channels for scalable and cost-effective data transmission independent of IP transport networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional IP transport networks are used for CDN data transmission, then existing infrastructure can be utilized, but network bottlenecks occur and infrastructure costs increase due to high-capacity data streams blocking other data streams

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidbandwidth demands and energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional IP-based electrical/optical switching system with a pure optical transport network using wavelength division multiplexing. This substitution eliminates the need for IP router processing of CDN traffic, allowing high-capacity data streams to be transmitted without blocking other traffic and significantly reducing energy consumption at network nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical transport network infrastructure provides universal service for multiple CDN providers and multiple types of traffic simultaneously through wavelength division multiplexing. Different wavelengths carry different CDN providers' traffic independently, allowing the same physical infrastructure to handle diverse high-capacity data streams without interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If IP transport networks with frequent optimization are used to manage high temporal and spatial dynamics, then service quality can be maintained, but network stability decreases due to misconfiguration of link weights

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse to temporal and spatial dynamicsVSAvoidnetwork stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments CDN traffic into dedicated optical wavelength channels that are provisioned based on peak requirements. This segmentation allows each wavelength to handle specific traffic patterns independently, providing adaptability to temporal and spatial dynamics without requiring frequent reconfiguration that would destabilize the overall network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The optical transport network acts as an intermediary layer between CDN applications and the physical infrastructure. This intermediary provides wavelength-based resource allocation that adapts to changing CDN traffic patterns while maintaining network stability, as wavelength configuration changes are less frequent and less prone to misconfiguration than IP routing updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If existing IP-WDM transport network infrastructure is expanded to meet growing CDN traffic needs, then transmission capacity can be increased, but infrastructure investment costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission capacityVSAvoidinfrastructure investment costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple CDN providers' traffic streams onto shared optical infrastructure using wavelength division multiplexing. By combining multiple unidirectional wavelengths in both directions on the same fiber pairs, the network achieves high transmission capacity without requiring separate dedicated infrastructure for each CDN provider, significantly reducing investment costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of resource allocation from IP-based virtualization to optical wavelength provisioning. This parameter change allows transmission capacity to be increased by adding wavelengths rather than expanding physical infrastructure, providing a cost-effective method to scale CDN transmission capacity to meet growing traffic demands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Loss of energy

If CDNs rely on shared IP transport network resources, then infrastructure costs are reduced, but transmission security and service quality deteriorate due to overload by third-party services

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfrastructure costsVSAvoidtransmission security and service quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the shared IP transport network with a dedicated optical transport network for CDN traffic. This substitution provides transmission security by isolating CDN traffic from third-party services while maintaining cost efficiency through wavelength sharing among multiple CDN providers. Service quality is guaranteed as CDN traffic does not compete for bandwidth with other network services.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2963871B1Efficient transport network architecture for content delivery network
Publication Date: 2018.10.10 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP2963871B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2963871B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2963871B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a content delivery network (CDN) comprising at least one CDN origin node and several CDN cache nodes connected to the CDN origin node via an optical transport network (OTN). The invention is characterized in that the transmission and/or routing from a CDN cache node to the CDN origin node and/or vice versa takes place below layer 3 of the OSI model.