Containerized Router Virtual Networking for 5G Network Slicing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container networking solutions in cloud data centers are inadequate for managing agile and scalable network communication among diverse deployments of applications, including VMs, containers, and bare metal servers, particularly in 5G network environments, where traditional routers are cumbersome and lack the flexibility needed for multi-tenancy and network slicing.

Innovation Solution

A containerized router is deployed within a cloud native orchestration framework, utilizing a containerized routing protocol daemon (cRPD) for control plane functionality and a DPDK-based virtual router for data plane functionality, enabling high-performance packet forwarding and network management, with support for protocols like IS-IS, BGP, and MPLS/SR, and integrating with Kubernetes for seamless deployment and management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional routers are used in cloud data centers, then network routing functionality is provided, but device complexity and lack of flexibility increase for multi-tenancy and network slicing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility for multi-tenancy and network slicingVSAvoidcumbersomeness of traditional routers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a virtual router that replicates traditional router functionality in software form within the containerized environment. This virtual router copy provides all necessary routing capabilities while being lightweight and adaptable to cloud infrastructure, eliminating the need for physical traditional routers and enabling flexible multi-tenancy and network slicing through software configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes containerization parameters (isolation, portability, lightweight nature) to transform the router from a fixed physical device into a flexible software component. By changing the deployment parameter from hardware-based to container-based, the system achieves adaptability for multi-tenancy while reducing device complexity through standardized container orchestration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If container networking solutions are implemented, then agility and scalability improve, but network performance and forwarding capability deteriorate compared to traditional routers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveagility and scalability of container networkingVSAvoidnetwork performance and forwarding capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the advantages of container networking (agility, scalability) with traditional router capabilities (performance, forwarding) by implementing a virtual router within the containerized environment. The virtual router combines the flexibility of software-defined networking with optimized packet forwarding paths, achieving both high productivity and reliable performance simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual router acts as an intermediary between the container networking layer and the underlying physical network infrastructure. It mediates packet forwarding between containers and external networks, providing optimized forwarding paths that maintain high performance while preserving the agility and scalability of container networking through software-based control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If virtualization is extensively utilized, then efficiency and control improve, but network management complexity and overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol over computing infrastructureVSAvoidnetwork management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal container networking approach where the virtual router provides multiple functions (routing, network addressing, multi-tenancy support, network slicing) through a single containerized platform. This multi-functional design simplifies network management by consolidating various networking tasks into unified container orchestration, reducing overhead while maintaining extensive control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4307639B1Containerized router with virtual networking

Publication Date: 2025.10.15 JUNIPER NETWORKS INC

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AI summary

In general, this disclosure describes techniques for a containerized router operating within a cloud native orchestration framework. In an example, a virtualized cell site router comprises a computing device configured with a containerized router, the computing device comprising: a containerized virtual router configured to execute on the processing circuitry and configured to implement a data plane for the containerized router; a containerized routing protocol process configured to execute on the processing circuitry and configured to implement a control plane for the containerized router; and a pod comprising a containerized distributed unit, wherein the containerized routing protocol process is configured to advertise routing information comprising reachability information for the containerized distributed unit.