Dynamic GTP Termination Point Shifting in Virtualized Gateways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network technologies face limitations in dynamically managing GTP termination points, leading to inflexibility and potential overloading, especially in virtualized environments where user plane and control plane scaling are not independent, and existing solutions do not efficiently handle real-time traffic adjustments during sessions.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to dynamically change or shift GTP termination points or IPsec termination points within a network entity, such as a virtualized gateway, allowing for optimal resource allocation by moving these points between the fast path and cloud, even during ongoing sessions, using OpenFlow protocol and policy and charging control rules to manage traffic and resource distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If GTP termination points are statically configured in virtualized gateways, then network structure is simple and easy to manage, but network flexibility and ability to handle real-time traffic adjustments are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic GTP termination point selection by introducing a mechanism that can shift termination points between fast path and cloud based on real-time traffic conditions. The network entity dynamically determines whether to terminate GTP packets at the fast path or forward them to the cloud, allowing the system to adapt to changing network conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall architecture.
2Productivity
If all GTP sessions are terminated at the cloud, then resource utilization is optimized, but real-time traffic handling capability and latency performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments GTP session handling into two paths: fast path termination for real-time traffic requiring low latency, and cloud termination for non-real-time traffic. The network entity evaluates traffic characteristics and directs sessions to appropriate termination points, allowing resource optimization in the cloud while preserving real-time performance for urgent traffic through fast path processing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If user plane and control plane are coupled in traditional gateways, then system architecture is simple, but independent scaling capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates user plane and control plane functionalities into distinct components within the gateway architecture. The control plane remains in the network entity while user plane processing can be distributed to fast path or cloud resources. This segmentation enables independent scaling of user plane capacity without affecting control plane operations, while maintaining manageable architectural complexity through clear functional separation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method of operating a network entity A method of operating a network entity of a network comprising a gateway (200) is provided, wherein the method comprises dynamically changing a packet processing resource (204, 227) in the gateway (200).