Flexible Algorithm Topology Slicing for Service Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems lack the ability to provide service differentiation within constrained network topologies, as all traffic steered onto a Flexible Algorithm forwarding graph is handled identically, limiting the flexibility and efficiency of service delivery.
Innovation Solution
Implement Flexible Algorithm Topology Slicing, which allows for the use of Flexible Algorithm topology slices to handle different portions of traffic differently across nodes based on slice identifiers and quality-of-service properties, using extensions to routing protocols like OSPF, IS-IS, and BGP-LS to advertise and manage these slices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If all traffic is steered onto a Flexible Algorithm forwarding graph, then network simplicity is maintained, but service differentiation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the unified Flexible Algorithm forwarding graph into multiple topology slices, each identified by a slice identifier. This segmentation enables different traffic types to be steered onto different slices based on their service requirements, achieving service differentiation while maintaining the overall simplicity of the Flexible Algorithm framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different quality-of-service properties to different topology slices. Each slice can have customized properties such as delay metrics, routing protocol metrics, or traffic engineering metrics, allowing local optimization for specific service types while the global network structure remains simple.
2Adaptability or versatility
If routing protocol extensions are implemented to advertise topology slices, then service differentiation is enabled, but protocol complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends existing routing protocols (OSPF, IS-IS, BGP-LS) to carry slice identifier information, making these protocols multi-functional. The same routing protocol infrastructure that handles basic topology dissemination is enhanced to also convey service differentiation information, avoiding the need for entirely new protocols and minimizing protocol complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses slice identifiers as intermediaries to bridge the gap between routing protocols and service differentiation requirements. These identifiers act as mediators that can be carried within existing protocol structures, enabling service differentiation without fundamentally changing protocol complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If topology slices with different quality-of-service properties are created, then service flexibility is improved, but network configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes topology slices and assigns quality-of-service properties in advance through pre-configuration. This preliminary action allows the network to be prepared with multiple service-ready slices before actual traffic steering begins, simplifying operational configuration as traffic can be directed to pre-defined slices based on their requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic selection of topology slices based on traffic characteristics and service requirements. The system can adaptively steer different traffic flows to appropriate slices in real-time, providing operational flexibility while the underlying slice structure remains statically defined for ease of management.
Data Source
AI summary
Various example embodiments for supporting service differentiation in a communication network are presented herein. The service differentiation may be supported in a constrained network topology of the communication network. The service differentiation may be supported in the constrained network topology of the communication network based on use of one or more constrained network topology slices supported for the constrained network topology of the communication network. The constrained network topology of the communication network may be a Flexible Algorithm topology, in which case the constrained network topology slices may be Flexible Algorithm topology slices.