Gateway Controller Separation Simplifies Multi-Protocol Network Topology
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex network structures arise due to the need for different gateways in various network architectures, leading to increased complexity and difficulty in maintaining network topologies.
Innovation Solution
A data packet processing method and gateway system where a gateway controller generates control information for multiple network standards, enabling a gateway forwarding device to receive and process data packets according to various protocols such as GTP, PMIP, L2TP, and IPSec, without requiring separate gateways for each standard, by separating the control plane from the forwarding plane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If different gateways are deployed for different network architectures, then each gateway can be optimized for its specific function, but the network topology becomes complex and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway is divided into two independent planes: control plane (gateway controller) and user plane (gateway forwarding device). The control plane handles signaling and control messages, while the user plane handles data packet forwarding. This segmentation allows each plane to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining functional optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway forwarding device is designed to support multiple network standards (GTP, PMIP, L2TP, IPSec, GRE, VLAN) through a unified data structure and processing mechanism. By using a generic forwarding entry that can accommodate different protocol types, a single gateway can perform multiple functions that previously required separate gateways, thereby simplifying network topology.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple gateway types are deployed to support multiple network standards, then each standard can be handled by a specialized gateway, but hardware requirements increase and maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway forwarding device implements a universal forwarding mechanism that can handle multiple network standards (GTP, PMIP, L2TP, IPSec, GRE, VLAN) through a unified data structure. The forwarding entry includes flexible fields that can accommodate different protocol types, allowing a single gateway to replace multiple specialized gateways and reduce hardware requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to adapt the gateway's forwarding behavior to different network standards. By modifying the data structure parameters (such as using a union type to represent different protocol formats) and control plane configurations, the same hardware can dynamically support multiple standards without requiring separate dedicated gateways for each protocol.
3Reliability
If separate gateways are used for each network standard, then each gateway can be optimized for its protocol, but the number of gateway instances increases and network maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway is segmented into control plane and user plane functions. The control plane (gateway controller) handles protocol-specific signaling and control messages, maintaining protocol optimization, while the user plane (gateway forwarding device) handles standardized data packet forwarding. This segmentation allows protocol optimization to be maintained through control plane software while simplifying the data plane hardware, thereby easing maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The control plane acts as an intermediary between the control messages and the user plane. It translates protocol-specific control information into standardized forwarding rules that the user plane can process uniformly. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to maintain protocol optimization while presenting a unified, simplified interface for maintenance and operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to the field of mobile communications technologies, and in particular, to a gateway system, so as resolve a technical problem of a complex network structure caused due to that different network architectures need different gateways. The gateway system provided in the present invention separates a control plane from a forwarding plane. A gateway controller is configured to complete a control function, and may control respective generation of control information for data packets of multiple different protocol types. A gateway forwarding device is responsible for forwarding, and may be controlled by the gateway controller to receive and send data packets of various protocol types. In a multi-standard access architecture, only one or few such gateway systems may need to be accessed instead of accessing multiple different gateways, thereby simplifying a network topology structure, and facilitating network maintenance.