Condensed Core WAN Architecture Eliminates Distributed Routers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wide area network (WAN) Internet Protocol (IP) backbone architectures are energy-inefficient due to the use of core routers at multiple points of presence (PoPs), leading to high energy consumption from data-path hardware, routing table memories, buffering, and interconnection lines.
Innovation Solution
A condensed core architecture that routes packets between access routers of different PoPs using ingress routers, core transport switches, and egress switches, eliminating the need for core routers and reducing energy expenditure by minimizing the number of IP routing elements and buffer memories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If core routers are deployed at multiple PoPs to provide connectivity between access routers, then network reliability and connectivity are improved, but energy consumption increases due to data-path hardware, routing table memories, buffering, and interconnection lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the core routing function from distributed PoP locations and consolidates it into a centralized condensed core apparatus. This removes core routers from multiple PoP locations, eliminating their energy consumption while maintaining connectivity through the centralized core that interconnects all access routers across PoPs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple distributed core routing functions into a single condensed core apparatus. By combining the routing intelligence and control plane into one centralized location, the system maintains network reliability while reducing the total energy consumption of routing infrastructure
2Ease of operation
If core routers are used at each PoP to route packets between access routers, then routing functionality is ensured, but device complexity increases due to multiple IP routing elements and buffer memories
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the core routing functionality from distributed PoP locations and consolidates it into a centralized condensed core apparatus. This removes complex IP routing elements from multiple locations while maintaining routing functionality through the centralized core that handles all inter-PoP packet forwarding
Solution Approach 2:
The condensed core apparatus serves as a universal routing platform that handles routing for all PoPs in the network. This single multi-functional core replaces multiple specialized core routers, reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive routing functionality across the entire WAN backbone
Data Source
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AI summary
An energy-efficient architecture for wide area network (WAN) Internet Protocol (IP) backbones in which a condensed core apparatus routes packets between access routers of different points of presence (PoPs), where the PoPs do not need to include core routers.