Distributed Forwarding Plane for Mobile IP Home Agent
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing Mobile IP networks, packets between a mobile node and a host device often take non-optimal routes due to the necessity of traversing a Home Agent, which limits route efficiency and quality-of-service metrics.
Innovation Solution
A distributed forwarding plane is introduced, where packet forwarding functions of a mobility home agent are distributed across multiple forwarding elements controlled by a separate control element, allowing for the computation and propagation of optimal routes based on mobile node location and network domain routing information, thereby bypassing the need for packets to traverse a specific Home Agent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If packets are routed through the Home Agent in Mobile IP networks, then mobility management is maintained, but the routing route becomes non-optimal with increased hop count and delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the routing function by separating the control element (Home Agent) from the forwarding elements (routers/switches). The control element maintains mobility management functions while forwarding elements perform optimal packet forwarding based on computed routes, eliminating the requirement for all packets to traverse the Home Agent.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a route computation mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the control element and forwarding elements. This mechanism computes optimal routes based on network topology and mobile node location, enabling direct forwarding while maintaining mobility management through the control element.
2Adaptability or versatility
If packets traverse the Home Agent for reverse forwarding, then policy-based control is maintained, but the routing route becomes non-optimal with increased link cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates control functions (policy-based routing decisions) from forwarding functions (actual packet transmission). The control element maintains adaptability by computing different routes based on policies, while forwarding elements execute these routes efficiently without requiring packets to physically traverse the Home Agent.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the routing parameters by computing optimal routes based on mobile node location and network topology. This allows policy-based control to be maintained while using different (optimal) path parameters rather than forcing all traffic through the Home Agent.
3Device complexity
If a centralized Home Agent handles all packet forwarding, then mobility management is simplified, but the device complexity and processing burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the packet forwarding function across multiple forwarding elements (routers and switches) in the network domain. Each forwarding element receives computed routes from the control element and performs local forwarding decisions, distributing the processing burden and improving overall packet forwarding efficiency while maintaining simplified centralized control for mobility management.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention includes a method and apparatus for providing a distributed forwarding plane for a mobility home agent. The invention provides a method for controlling routing of packets for a mobile node in a network comprising a network domain including a plurality of forwarding elements being controlled by a control element. A method includes computing a route from one of the forwarding elements toward the mobile node and propagating the computed route toward that one of the forwarding elements. The route is computed using location information associated with the mobile node and routing information associated with the network domain.