Gateway Server Segmentation for IP Network Scalability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication systems face limitations in the number of simultaneously connectable devices due to expensive gateway hardware and tunneling processing loads, which hinder the provision of high-value wireless communication services, especially with the increasing demand for IoT devices requiring diverse communication speeds and frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A communication system comprising a gateway with two groups of servers, where the first group receives and forwards data to the second group for additional data processing, including GTP payload modification, allowing for increased computing resources and scalability without exceeding hardware limits, and utilizing cloud instances for dynamic resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional data processing is performed in the gateway to meet various needs, then service functionality is improved, but the number of simultaneously connectable devices is reduced due to processing loads
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway is divided into multiple server units, each capable of independent data processing. This segmentation allows the system to handle diverse service requirements through distributed processing while maintaining the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously, as each server unit can operate in parallel.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway servers are designed with multi-functionality to handle various data processing tasks including GTP payload modification, protocol conversion, and data forwarding. This universal design enables a single gateway infrastructure to support multiple service types without requiring separate specialized hardware for each function.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of gateways is increased to connect more devices, then the number of simultaneously connectable devices is improved, but hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple gateway functions are merged into a single gateway infrastructure by deploying multiple server units within one gateway. This consolidation allows the system to connect multiple devices simultaneously while avoiding the need to purchase and deploy multiple separate gateway hardware units, thereby reducing overall hardware costs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of deploying multiple physical gateway units, the system creates virtual copies of gateway functionality through software-based server units. These virtual gateway instances can be replicated and distributed across the existing gateway hardware, providing the capability to connect multiple devices without proportionally increasing hardware expenditure.
3Quantity of substance
If gateway hardware capacity is increased to support more devices, then the number of simultaneously connectable devices is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway system employs dynamic server unit deployment where server instances can be added, removed, or scaled based on real-time connection demands. This dynamic approach allows the gateway to adapt its processing capacity flexibly without requiring permanent hardware upgrades, thereby supporting variable numbers of connected devices while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system for providing an access to an Internet Protocol (IP) network to a wireless terminal, having a gateway to pass data from the wireless terminal to the IP network and having first and second groups of servers, the first group includes a plurality of servers and the second group includes a plurality of servers. The first group is configured to: receive data from the wireless terminal, select a destination address as a selected destination address for the received data, and forward the data to a server of the second group corresponding to the selected destination address. The server of the second group performs data processing of the forwarded data, the data processing including modification of a part of a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) tunneling protocol (GTP) payload of the forwarded data, and output the processed data to the IP network.