Distributed Controller Architecture for Packet Flow Path Resolution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Centralized control systems like OpenFlow face increased load and delayed path resolution due to concentrated path resolution requests from communication devices, leading to inefficiencies and potential network congestion.
Innovation Solution
Distributing the control load by allowing communication devices to autonomously set and manage forwarding rules, reducing the reliance on the centralized controller for all path determinations, and delegating authority to intermediate controllers for specific packet flows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centralized control system is used where all communication devices send path resolution requests to a single controller, then path control can be uniformly managed, but the controller load increases and path resolution becomes delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized controller into multiple distributed controllers, each responsible for specific communication devices or network segments. This segmentation allows path resolution requests to be distributed across multiple controllers, reducing the load on any single controller and improving path resolution speed while maintaining uniform path control through coordinated operation of the distributed controllers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the control architecture, with controllers organized at different levels. Higher-level controllers handle complex path resolution tasks while lower-level controllers manage routine operations. This dimensional organization allows the system to maintain centralized coordination benefits while distributing the actual processing load across multiple levels, improving overall path resolution efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If all path resolution requests are handled by a centralized controller, then centralized management is achieved, but network congestion occurs and system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into multiple control domains, each managed by a distributed controller. This segmentation maintains centralized management principles within each domain while distributing the overall control function across the network, preventing any single controller from becoming a bottleneck and improving network efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary controllers that act as mediators between end devices and the central management system. These intermediary controllers handle local path resolution requests, reducing the number of requests that reach the central controller and improving network efficiency while maintaining centralized oversight through the intermediary layer.
3Reliability
If a centralized controller processes all flow detection notifications, then unified path determination is achieved, but controller load increases and processing delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flow detection notification processing function across multiple distributed controllers. Each controller processes notifications from its assigned communication devices independently, reducing the processing queue at any single controller and decreasing overall processing time while maintaining accurate path determination through consistent processing rules applied across all controllers.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A communication system includes a communication device controlling packet forwarding, and a controller setting a first table entry used for packet forwarding according to a request from the communication device. The communication device determines whether to forward a received packet according to the first table entry or forward the received packet according to a second table entry set by the communication device based on a rule for identifying a received packet. The load of the controller for controlling paths can be reduced.