Distributed CPE Architecture Decoupling Control and Data Planes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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 software data plane subsystems on multiple devices, allowing for decoupling of control and data planes, native packet processing, and the ability to host virtual machines and virtual network functions, which provides a flexible and scalable network management solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional CPE with static control and 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. Data plane subsystems handle packet forwarding locally, while the control plane server manages configuration, software updates, and coordination. This segmentation enables flexible network management through the centralized controller while maintaining simple, efficient packet processing at the distributed data plane level.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional CPE with integrated control and data planes is used, then device structure is simplified, but upgradeability and configuration flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control plane functions are extracted from the data plane subsystems and centralized in a separate control plane server. This extraction allows independent upgrading of control plane software and data plane firmware without affecting each other. The control plane server can be updated remotely to provide new features and configurations, while data plane subsystems continue operating with existing forwarding capabilities.
3Productivity
If conventional CPE is deployed in large networks, then individual device simplicity is maintained, but management complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized control plane server acts as an intermediary between network operators and distributed data plane subsystems. It provides a unified interface for configuration, monitoring, and management of all CPE devices in the network. The control plane server translates high-level management commands into specific configurations for individual data plane subsystems, simplifying network management despite the distributed architecture.
4Reliability
If static CPE architecture is used, then hardware resource utilization is limited, but system reliability is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static to dynamic resource allocation through the centralized control plane server. The control plane can dynamically assign network functions, adjust configuration parameters, and optimize resource utilization based on real-time network conditions and requirements. Data plane subsystems can be dynamically updated with new forwarding rules and policies without requiring physical reconfiguration, enabling flexible resource utilization while maintaining system reliability through centralized coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for providing a distributed customer premises equipment (CPE) comprising several devices. A computer system executes a control plane subsystem that sends network control packets using one or more network interfaces for controlling network data packet forwarding operations performed by devices. The network control packets includes a first set of network control packets sent to a first device located at a second location and a second set of network control packets sent to a second device located at a third location.