Non-autonomous Gateway L2 Connectivity via Virtual Tagging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Satellite communications systems using higher network layers for routing limit capabilities such as maintaining proprietary network services and Multiprotocol Label Switching across large geographic regions, as they strip and replace layer-2 headers, making it impossible to maintain a single network configuration and limiting traffic and protocol availability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a non-routed ground segment network with satellites configured to transmit data packets at layer-1, generating virtual tagging tuples within layer-2 packet headers, and using L2 switches to maintain end-to-end layer-2 connectivity between non-autonomous gateways, allowing for mesh-like connectivity and persistence of certain information types across sub-networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If routing at higher network layers (layer-3 and above) is used to process and route data, then enhanced interoperability is provided, but layer-2 connectivity is lost and proprietary network services cannot persist across sub-networks
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into routed access nodes and non-routed core nodes. Access nodes perform routing functions independently, while core nodes maintain layer-2 connectivity. This segmentation allows both routing capabilities and layer-2 persistence to coexist in different parts of the network architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Non-routed core nodes act as intermediaries that preserve layer-2 connectivity between routed access nodes. These core nodes do not perform routing but maintain the layer-2 network fabric, allowing proprietary services to persist across the network while still enabling interoperability at the access nodes.
2Productivity
If routing is implemented at access nodes, then network routing capability is provided, but the type of tags that can persist across multiple sub-networks is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The network function is segmented between routed access nodes and non-routed core nodes. Access nodes handle routing operations, while core nodes preserve layer-2 tags and connectivity. This allows routing capability to be maintained while enabling broader tag persistence through the layer-2 network fabric.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a purely routed network architecture to a hybrid architecture that adds a layer-2 dimension. By maintaining layer-2 connectivity in parallel with layer-3 routing, the system enables tags to persist across sub-networks through the layer-2 network while routing operations continue at layer-3.
3Productivity
If a routed network architecture is used, then data can be routed between access nodes, but end-to-end layer-2 connectivity cannot be maintained across geographically dispersed nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The network is divided into routed access nodes for efficient data routing and non-routed core nodes for maintaining layer-2 connectivity. This segmentation allows both functions to operate simultaneously without interfering with each other, enabling end-to-end layer-2 connectivity across geographically dispersed nodes while maintaining routing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution introduces a layer-2 network dimension that operates in parallel with the layer-3 routed network. This additional dimension enables end-to-end layer-2 connectivity to be maintained across the geographically dispersed network while routing operations continue efficiently at the layer-3 level.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatus for providing end-to-end L2 connectivity, are described. The system includes satellites configured to transmit data packets. The system further includes a first non-autonomous gateway in communication with the satellites. The first non-autonomous gateway is configured to receive the data packets from the satellites at L1, generate virtual tagging tuples within L2 packet headers of the data packets, and transmit the data packets each including a virtual tagging tuple. The system further includes a L2 switch in communication with the first non-autonomous gateway. The L2 switch is configured to receive the virtually tagged data packets and transmit the virtually tagged data packets. Further, the system includes a second non-autonomous gateway in communication with the L2 switch. The second non-autonomous gateway configured to receive the virtually tagged data packets and transmit the virtually tagged data packets to an entity based on the virtual tagging tuple associated with each of the virtually tagged packets.