HybNET Controller Hybrid Network Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network management solutions fail to effectively manage hybrid networks that combine Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and legacy switches, as they lack compatibility between SDN and legacy switch management mechanisms, leading to challenges in network isolation and automation across complex network boundaries.
Innovation Solution
The development of a novel controller called HybNET, which employs 'virtualization in virtualization' to encapsulate VLANs inside SDN slices, allowing for the management of legacy switches as virtual links, providing a centralized mechanism for network virtualization and automation, and ensuring compatibility between SDN and legacy switches through remote procedure calls (RPC).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a full deployment of SDN switches is implemented, then network flexibility and control capability are improved, but deployment cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial SDN deployment by introducing a hybrid controller that manages both SDN switches and legacy switches simultaneously. This allows the network to gain SDN benefits (flexibility, automation) in specific segments while maintaining legacy infrastructure elsewhere, avoiding the need for complete SDN deployment and its associated costs and complexities
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid controller acts as an intermediary layer between SDN controllers and legacy switch management systems. It translates and coordinates control commands across different network domains, enabling seamless integration of SDN and legacy components without requiring full SDN deployment, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining flexibility
2Adaptability or versatility
If legacy switches are managed separately from SDN controllers, then compatibility with existing infrastructure is maintained, but network isolation and automation capabilities deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid controller merges SDN controller functionality with legacy switch management capabilities into a single unified system. This integration enables centralized control over both SDN and legacy switches, allowing consistent network isolation policies and automation across the entire hybrid network without requiring separate management mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid controller is designed as a universal management system that can handle both SDN protocol-based switches and traditional legacy switches through a single interface. This multi-functional capability provides network isolation and automation across heterogeneous infrastructure without increasing management complexity, as the controller adapts its management approach based on the switch type
3Adaptability or versatility
If hybrid network topology is implemented, then gradual transition from legacy to SDN is enabled, but existing management solutions become inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid controller serves as an intermediary management layer that abstracts the complexity of hybrid network topology from operators. It provides unified configuration interfaces and automated coordination between SDN and legacy segments, making gradual transition management as easy as traditional single-type network management while enabling sophisticated hybrid topologies
Data Source
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AI summary
Method and systems for controlling a hybrid network having software-defined network (SDN) switches and legacy switches include initializing a hybrid network topology by retrieving information on a physical and virtual infrastructure of the hybrid network; generating a path between two nodes on the hybrid network based on the physical and virtual infrastructure of the hybrid network; generating a virtual local area network by issuing remote procedure call instructions to legacy switches in accordance with a network configuration request; and generating an SDN network slice by issuing SDN commands to SDN switches in accordance with the network configuration request.