Controller Node for Broadband Access Control Sessions
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Solution Overview
Problem
In telecommunications networks, especially in broadband access networks, establishing control sessions between external access nodes and service edge nodes is challenging due to the loss of 1:1 relations between these nodes, making traditional tunneling methods through the central office point of delivery ineffective, particularly in architectures with a spine/leaf switching fabric and legacy service edges.
Innovation Solution
A method that utilizes a controller node with repository functionality to establish control sessions by receiving identity information from network termination nodes, performing lookups to identify external service edges, and setting up segmented control session paths, allowing for flexible connectivity between external access nodes and service edges, even in scenarios with n:m relations, using a back-to-back access control agent to manage and translate control messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional tunneling methods through the central office point of delivery are used, then control sessions can be established between access nodes and service edge nodes, but the solution becomes ineffective when n:m relations replace 1:1 relations between these nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controller node as an intermediary between access nodes and service edge nodes. The controller receives control messages from access nodes, performs lookups to determine the appropriate service edge node, and forwards messages accordingly. This mediator enables flexible n:m relationships while maintaining reliable control session establishment, replacing the ineffective traditional tunneling method.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a controller node with lookup functionality is introduced to manage control sessions, then flexibility and adaptability improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller node is designed to perform multiple functions: receiving control messages from access nodes, maintaining a repository of service edge node information, performing lookups to determine routing, and forwarding messages. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional controller, the patent achieves high adaptability while managing complexity through functional integration rather than proliferation of separate components.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for an improved and simplified operation and architecture of a central office point of delivery and/or for the enhanced establishment and/or use of control sessions between network nodes connected to but external to the central office point of delivery within a broadband access network of a telecommunications network, wherein the central office point of delivery and/or the broadband access network comprises a controller node, at least one repository node or repository functionality and a plurality of line termination nodes, wherein a specific line termination node of the plurality of line termination nodes is connectable –using an access node port of the specific line termination node –to at least one specific network termination node of a plurality of network termination nodes, wherein the broadband access network comprises –outside of the central office point of delivery –a plurality of external service edge nodes, wherein –upon activation of the specific network termination node, being connected to the specific line termination node –a control session is set up or is established, via the controller node, towards a specific external service edge node of the plurality of external service edge nodes, a first segment of a control session path being realized between, on the one hand, the specific network termination node or the specific line termination node, and, on the other hand, the controller node, and a second segment of the control session path being realized between the controller node and the specific external service edge node, wherein the method comprises the following steps: -- in a first step, the controller node receives, by means of a message sent on the first segment of the control session path, an identity information of the specific network termination node, or of the access node port of the specific line termination node used by the specific network termination node, -- in a second step, subsequent to the first step, upon a lookup request message being sent to the repository node or repository functionality by the controller node, a lookup response message is sent by the repository node or repository functionality, based on the identity information of the specific network termination node, or of the access node port of the specific line termination node used by the specific network termination node, the lookup response message comprising an indication of the specific external service edge node, -- in a third step, subsequent to the second step and based on the indication of the specific external service edge node, the set up or establishment of the second segment of the control session path towards the specific external service edge node is performed.