Central Control Entity for Mobile Backhaul Data Plane Applications
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile backhaul networks face scalability and cost issues due to the increasing need for multiple data plane applications and rising mobile packet data traffic, which complicates the handling and routing of data plane flows in edge routers.
Innovation Solution
A central control entity is introduced to detect and manage data plane applications attached to forwarding elements in a radio access network, determining optimal paths for data plane flows through these elements, considering application placement and load feedback, to efficiently distribute and utilize data plane applications across the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If data plane applications are attached to the edge router, then the number of interface cards and routing capacity requirements increase, but the site complexity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts data plane applications from the edge router and places them in separate network elements. This extraction reduces the complexity of the edge router while maintaining simplified site operations, as the applications are managed independently rather than being integrated into the router infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network architecture by separating the control plane (edge router) from the data plane applications (separate network elements). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while improving scalability and management efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple data plane applications are hosted on the edge router, then scalability is improved in the short term, but the router dimensioning becomes problematic and scalability issues arise with increasing traffic volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network architecture by separating the control plane (edge router) from the data plane applications (separate network elements). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while improving scalability and management efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal platform for hosting data plane applications in separate network elements, allowing multiple applications to be deployed without increasing edge router complexity. This multi-functional approach enables scalable deployment as traffic volume increases.
3Productivity
If data plane applications are distributed across forwarding elements in the radio access network, then the number of data plane flows that can be handled is increased, but the control complexity is shifted to a central control entity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central control entity as an intermediary that manages the distribution and coordination of data plane applications across multiple forwarding elements. This intermediary handles the control complexity centrally, allowing the forwarding elements to operate with simpler, standardized functions while maintaining high overall system capacity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a central control entity (200) configured to control a data plane flow of a stream of data packages in a radio access network part of a mobile communications network. The central control entity (200) comprises an information detecting unit (210), configured to detect information about data plane applications (41-44) attached to forwarding elements (120-124; 131-134) of the radio access network part and configured to detect information about at least one data plane application (41-44) that is to be applied to said data plane flow. Furthermore, the central control entity (200) comprises a control unit (230), configured to determine a path of the data plane flow through the forwarding elements (120-24; 131-134) of the radio access network part, wherein the control unit (230) is configured to determine the path taking into account said at least one data plane application (41-44) to be applied to said data plane flow, the control unit (230) being further configured to instruct the forwarding element in the path, to which said at least one data place application is attached, to pass the data plane flow through said at least one data plane application (41-44).