Control Node Service Chaining via Flow Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for implementing service chaining in communication networks are inefficient and costly, requiring advanced hardware upgrades in switches and routers for real-time packet analysis and control, which is impractical due to high costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A control node identifies flow characteristics and determines a succession of network functions to process data packets, instructing these functions to forward packets accordingly, thereby decentralizing intelligence and avoiding costly hardware upgrades in network nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If real-time packet analysis and central control are implemented in network nodes, then service chaining efficiency is improved, but device complexity and hardware costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the intelligence and control functionality from individual network nodes and centralizes it in a separate control entity. The control entity analyzes packets and determines service chaining paths, while network nodes simply forward packets based on received instructions. This separation reduces device complexity in network nodes while maintaining service chaining efficiency through centralized intelligence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control entity as an intermediary between the delivering node and network nodes. This intermediary analyzes packet flows, determines appropriate service chaining paths, and instructs network nodes on how to forward packets. The intermediary handles the complex analysis and decision-making, allowing network nodes to remain simple forwarding devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If advanced hardware functionality is added to switches and routers, then packet processing capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the advanced packet processing capability from the hardware of switches and routers and relocates it to a separate control entity. This allows standard, inexpensive switches and routers to be used in the network, while the control entity provides the sophisticated analysis and routing intelligence through software or programmable logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements processing intelligence in the control entity that can be replicated and applied to multiple network nodes. Instead of embedding expensive hardware capabilities in each node, the same intelligent control logic is centralized and distributed as instructions to multiple simple nodes, achieving versatility without increasing manufacturing costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If network nodes are programmed for real-time control, then service chaining flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the programming and control logic from network nodes and places it in a centralized control entity. The control entity receives instructions, analyzes packet flows, and generates forwarding instructions for network nodes. This allows service chaining flexibility to be achieved through centralized programming without requiring complex programming capabilities in each network node.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a control node (300) for establishing network functions for processing data packets of a data flow from a delivering node (306) to a receiving node (308) over a communication network (302). The control node identifies (3:2) flow characteristics relating to the data flow and determines (3:3) a succession of network functions (304) in the network for processing the data packets, based on the identified flow characteristics. The network functions (304) are then instructed (3:4a-c) to forward the data packets in the data flow according to the determined succession. The sequence of network functions specifies a service chain. The controller uses OpenFlow. Network functions are dynamically relocated based on network conditions.