Distributed Control Plane Architecture for Network Scalability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional network elements face scalability limitations in processing control plane messages, as they often rely on a centralized primary processing entity, which can lead to bottlenecks and inefficiencies, especially in supporting multiple services and applications with high traffic volumes.

Innovation Solution

A distributed control plane architecture is implemented, where a primary control card distributes control plane process instances among secondary cards, including ASE cards, and associates control messages directly with specific process instances, allowing line cards to forward messages to the appropriate instances, thereby reducing the load on the primary processor and leveraging existing processing resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a centralized primary processing entity is used to handle control plane messages, then system simplicity is maintained, but scalability and processing capacity are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol plane architectureVSAvoidcontrol message processing capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control plane is segmented by distributing process instances across multiple secondary cards in addition to the primary control card. Each secondary card hosts specific control plane process instances that can independently process control messages, dividing the processing workload and eliminating the bottleneck of a single centralized processor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The architecture transitions from a single-point processing model to a multi-point distributed model by utilizing the mesh network to connect multiple processing entities. This dimensional expansion from one processor to many processors enables parallel processing of control messages across different cards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If control plane process instances are distributed among secondary cards, then processing capacity and scalability are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol message processing capacityVSAvoidcontrol plane architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Secondary cards that traditionally performed only data plane functions are given multi-functionality by enabling them to host control plane process instances. This universalization allows the same hardware resources to serve dual purposes, reducing the need for dedicated control plane hardware and managing complexity through resource sharing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh network acts as an intermediary communication layer that facilitates coordinated operation between the primary control card and secondary cards. This standardized communication infrastructure simplifies the integration of distributed process instances by providing a uniform mechanism for inter-card messaging and synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If all control messages are routed through the primary processor, then message routing simplicity is maintained, but processing bottleneck and latency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessage routingVSAvoidcontrol message processing latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Control message processing is extracted from the primary processor and distributed to secondary cards based on process instance location. This extraction eliminates the mandatory routing step through the primary processor for all messages, allowing direct forwarding of control messages to appropriate process instances on secondary cards, thereby reducing latency and processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If dual controller cards with hot standby are used, then system reliability is improved, but resource utilization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol plane redundancyVSAvoidprocessing resource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static hot standby configuration to a dynamic distributed model where control plane process instances can be actively distributed across multiple secondary cards. This dynamic allocation allows multiple cards to utilize processing resources actively rather than remaining idle, improving overall resource utilization while maintaining reliability through distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS7849127B2Method and apparatus for a distributed control plane

Publication Date: 2010.12.07 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method and apparatus for a distributed control plane. In one embodiment of the invention, a primary control card distributes control plane process instances among one or more secondary cards, including a secondary control card and/or one or more Advanced Service Engine (ASE) cards. The primary control card associates particular control messages with particular control plane process instances. Upon a line card receiving a control message that is associated with a particular control plane instance, the line card forwards the control message directly to that particular control plane instance.