Heterogeneous Network Visibility via Traffic Mirroring and Common Protocol Encapsulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network management systems have limited visibility into overall network traffic flows due to their integration within a single network topology, hindering effective control of user equipment (UE) in heterogeneous wireless networks.
Innovation Solution
A networking device housing a cellular base station and WLAN access point encapsulates both cellular and WLAN traffic using a common protocol, such as CAPWAP, to provide enhanced visibility to a traffic controller, allowing for unified management and policy enforcement across multiple networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the controller is integrated within a single network topology, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the visibility into overall network traffic flows is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a traffic mirror as an intermediary component that copies network traffic from multiple networks (cellular and WLAN) and forwards it to the controller. This mediator enables the controller to observe traffic from both networks without requiring direct integration into both network topologies, thus improving visibility while maintaining simpler device architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the controller manages multiple networks directly, then the adaptability and versatility of network control is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of detecting and measuring traffic flows increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the traffic monitoring function from the controller by using a separate traffic mirror component. The mirror captures and replicates traffic flows from multiple networks, allowing the controller to focus on policy enforcement and management while the mirror handles the complex task of traffic capture and forwarding from heterogeneous networks.
3Ease of operation
If separate control mechanisms are used for cellular and WLAN networks, then the ease of operation for each individual network is improved, but the ability to enforce unified policies across networks is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of multiple networks by using a single controller that receives mirrored traffic from both cellular and WLAN networks. This unified controller can enforce consistent policies across both networks based on the combined traffic visibility, while each network continues to operate independently at the physical layer.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing enhanced visibility in heterogeneous network. The method comprises receiving, at a networking device housing a cellular base station and a WLAN access point, cellular network traffic from an electronic device. The method further comprises receiving, at the networking device, WLAN traffic from the electronic device and encapsulating, at the networking device, the cellular network traffic and the WLAN traffic using a common protocol. The method further comprises transmitting the encapsulated cellular traffic and the encapsulated WLAN traffic to a controller.