Distributed CPE Control Plane Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional customer premises equipment (CPE) is inflexible, complex, and costly to manage due to its static relationship between control and data plane subsystems, making it difficult to upgrade and configure in large networks, especially for dynamic applications like cloud computing and real-time video traffic.
Innovation Solution
A distributed CPE architecture with a centralized control plane server computer controlling multiple software data plane subsystems, allowing for decoupling of control and data planes, enabling native packet processing and virtual network function execution, which maximizes hardware resource utilization and facilitates flexible network management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional CPE with static control-plane-to-data-plane relationship is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but network management flexibility and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the CPE into distributed data plane subsystems and a centralized control plane server. Each data plane subsystem handles local packet forwarding independently, while the control plane server provides centralized management. This segmentation enables flexible network management through the centralized controller while maintaining simple, autonomous data plane devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized control plane server as an intermediary between the network operator and distributed data plane subsystems. This mediator enables centralized configuration, monitoring, and management of multiple CPE devices without requiring complex embedded management systems in each individual CPE, thus improving management flexibility while keeping device complexity low.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional CPE with integrated control and data planes is used, then device structure is simplified, but upgradeability and configurability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By separating control plane functions from data plane functions and placing them in different physical locations (centralized server vs. distributed devices), the patent enables independent upgrading of control plane software and data plane hardware. The data plane subsystems can be upgraded or replaced without affecting the control plane, and vice versa.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic architecture where the control plane can be remotely configured and updated via software downloads from the centralized server. The data plane subsystems dynamically receive configuration updates, new services, and firmware upgrades without physical technician visits, enabling flexible adaptation to changing network requirements.
3Productivity
If conventional CPE is deployed, then initial deployment is straightforward, but reconfiguration and management in large networks become complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized control plane server acts as an intermediary that automates network management tasks across large numbers of CPE devices. It provides unified configuration management, centralized monitoring, and automated provisioning, enabling efficient management of large networks without requiring manual intervention at each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The data plane subsystems are designed to autonomously execute configuration instructions and services received from the centralized control plane. They self-configure based on remote commands, self-monitor their status, and self-manage service deployment, eliminating the need for local technician intervention and simplifying large-scale network management.
4Adaptability or versatility
If single-function CPE devices are used, then device design is simple, but multi-service capability and functionality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The data plane subsystems are designed as universal platforms capable of hosting multiple network services and functions. Through the centralized control plane, a single data plane subsystem can dynamically provide routing, switching, firewall, VLAN, and other network services by loading different service modules, eliminating the need for separate single-function devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates dynamically configurable CPE where services and functionalities can be remotely enabled, disabled, or modified through the centralized control plane. The data plane subsystems can adapt their functionality in real-time based on network requirements, transforming from static single-function devices to dynamic multi-service platforms.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for providing a distributed customer premises equipment (CPE) comprising several devices. The distributed CPE may include a control plane subsystem configured to execute on a first device, a first data plane subsystem configured to execute on a second device, and a second data plane subsystem configured to execute on a third device. The second device may be further configured to execute a first virtual machine capable of executing a first network function. The third device may be further configured to execute a second virtual machine capable of executing a second network function. In certain embodiments, the control plane subsystem may be configured to control forwarding functionality of the first data plane subsystem and the second data plane subsystem, and control the first network function and the second network function. In certain embodiments, the first device and the second device are customer premises equipment (CPE) devices.