Network Virtualization via Link Global Label Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network virtualization technologies are limited in providing virtual operators with control and management of network nodes and links, as they cannot obtain interior traffic and data information, lack flexible virtual network construction, and do not support centralized control or programming, leading to coarse granularity in node and link virtualization.
Innovation Solution
A packet forwarding method and system that uses a controller and forwarding devices to allocate global labels based on attribute requirements, enabling the creation of virtual links and nodes with specified attributes, allowing for advanced routing and quality of service assurance through Segment Routing and MPLS TE attributes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional VPN technology is used for network virtualization, then network isolation is achieved, but virtual operators cannot control or manage interior nodes and links
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into virtual network layer and physical network layer, with virtual nodes and virtual links at the virtual layer, and physical nodes and physical links at the physical layer. This segmentation allows virtual operators to manage virtual network elements independently while the physical infrastructure remains controlled by the infrastructure operator, resolving the contradiction between virtual network control capability and network management complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network virtualization layer as an intermediary between the virtual operator and the physical network. This virtualization layer provides abstraction, allowing virtual operators to control and manage virtual nodes and links without directly accessing or complicating the physical network infrastructure, thus enabling virtual network control while maintaining manageable complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If coarse granularity virtualization is used, then implementation is simpler, but complete virtual network formation cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the network virtualization into fine-grained components including individual virtual nodes and virtual links, rather than coarse-grained virtualization. Each virtual node and virtual link can be independently configured and managed, enabling complete virtual network formation while maintaining manageable implementation complexity through modular approaches
3Adaptability or versatility
If physical network details are exposed to virtual operators, then better control is achieved, but security and operational independence are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtualization layer as an intermediary that shields virtual operators from physical network details. The virtual operator can control and manage virtual network elements with full operability, while the physical infrastructure details remain hidden behind the virtualization abstraction, preventing infrastructure exposure risks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the control and management functions from the physical network layer and places them at the virtual network layer. Virtual operators can control virtual nodes and links without needing to know or access physical network details, achieving full virtual network operability while eliminating infrastructure exposure risks
Data Source
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AI summary
A network system includes at least one controller and a plurality of forwarding devices, where the plurality of forwarding devices forms a plurality of network topologies; the at least one controller is configured to: allocate, according to a different attribute requirement of a virtual link on a basic link in the network topology, a link global label to the basic link in the network topology based on the attribute requirement, and send a link binding relationship between the link global label and <a network topology ID, a basic link identifier, and an attribute> to the plurality of forwarding devices, where a link global label allocated to each virtual link is different; and the plurality of forwarding devices is configured to receive the link binding relationship, and generate, according to the link binding relationship, a label forwarding entry including a mapping relationship between the link global label and virtual link forwarding information, where the virtual link forwarding information includes the basic link and specified attribute processing that are corresponding to the link global label.