Cloud Multicast Orchestrator for SD-WAN Branch Bandwidth Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multicast implementations in large scale software-defined branch deployments fail to optimize bandwidth consumption across the WAN, relying on decentralized approaches like PIM that consume unnecessary bandwidth and are difficult to monitor and troubleshoot due to lack of centralized management.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based multicast orchestrator is implemented to centrally manage and orchestrate routes for multicast traffic, reducing WAN bandwidth consumption by designating a gateway leader per branch to communicate with the orchestrator and receive multicast traffic, and leveraging SD-WAN services like Containers-as-a-Service for route calculation and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If decentralized PIM-based multicast routing is used, then multicast traffic can be transmitted to group members, but WAN bandwidth consumption increases and centralized management capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud-based multicast orchestrator as an intermediary between the decentralized branch gateways and the multicast traffic source. This orchestrator centralizes routing decisions and coordination while allowing PIM-based multicast to operate at the edge, thus reducing WAN bandwidth consumption through intelligent routing without sacrificing centralized management capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments multicast management into two parts: centralized orchestration of routing policies and group management handled by the cloud-based orchestrator, and local PIM-based multicast forwarding handled by branch gateways. This segmentation allows each component to optimize for its specific function while working together to reduce overall WAN bandwidth consumption
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional PIM-based multicast is deployed across all branch gateways, then multicast coverage is achieved, but device complexity and monitoring difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud-based multicast orchestrator serves as a central intermediary that manages multicast group membership, routing policies, and coordination across all branch gateways. This centralization reduces system complexity by providing a single point of control while maintaining comprehensive multicast coverage through standardized interfaces with gateways
Solution Approach 2:
The multicast orchestrator provides universal management capabilities across the entire WAN, handling routing coordination, group management, and policy enforcement in a single centralized system. This multi-functional approach simplifies the overall system architecture compared to distributed PIM implementation while achieving comprehensive multicast coverage
3Reliability
If multiple routes are used for multicast traffic, then redundancy is provided, but WAN bandwidth consumption and route complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud-based multicast orchestrator acts as an intelligent intermediary that manages routing redundancy by coordinating which branch gateways should receive and forward multicast traffic. This centralized coordination ensures reliability through backup routes while minimizing WAN bandwidth consumption by activating only the necessary routes based on real-time network conditions and group membership
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for reducing WAN bandwidth consumption used by multicast for large scale software-defined branch deployments. In particular, a cloud-based multicast orchestrator may be implemented as part of an SD-WAN service. This cloud-based multicast orchestrator may orchestrate routes for multicast traffic between a multicast source and the various branches of the large scale software-defined branch deployment. This cloud-based multicast orchestrator may orchestrate routes for multicast traffic which reduce/optimize WAN bandwidth consumption. In combination with the cloud-based multicast orchestrator, examples may utilize a branch gateway hierarchy which designates one branch gateway a “leader” for a given multicast stream to further reduce WAN bandwidth consumption used by multicast.