Centralized Multicast Replicator Selection Policy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional SD-WAN multicast replicator selection is based solely on local configurations, which limits flexibility and efficiency, as edge devices must perform ingress replication for all other edge devices with receivers, lacking centralized control and redundancy considerations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a centralized control policy that allows for the selection of multicast replicators based on proximity, capacity, load distribution, and administrative preferences, enabling revertive behavior, backup replicators, and backward compatibility with existing configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If local configuration-based replicator selection is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability and efficiency of multicast delivery deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized controller as an intermediary between edge devices and multicast sources. This controller receives multicast advertisements, analyzes them to identify replicators, and distributes updated advertisements with preference information to edge devices. This mediator resolves the contradiction by centralizing the complex selection logic while keeping individual edge devices simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where edge devices send multicast advertisement information to the centralized controller, which then analyzes this feedback to identify suitable replicators and generates updated preference information. This closed-loop feedback enables adaptive replicator selection that optimizes multicast delivery efficiency while maintaining simple local device configurations.
2Productivity
If centralized control policy is implemented, then adaptability and management efficiency are improved, but device complexity and control system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the replicator selection logic from multiple distributed edge devices into a single centralized controller. This consolidation improves management efficiency and productivity by providing unified control, while the standardized process of receiving advertisements, analyzing them, and distributing updated preferences keeps the control system structure manageable rather than overly complex.
3Reliability
If ingress replication is performed for all edge devices, then coverage is improved, but loss of energy and computational resources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different replicator preferences to different edge devices based on their specific requirements and network conditions. The centralized controller analyzes multicast advertisements and generates customized preference information for each edge device, enabling selective replication that maintains coverage while reducing unnecessary energy and computational resource consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a centralized control policy for multicast replicator selection. Methods include receiving multicast advertisements from a plurality of edge devices configured with multicast protocol, each multicast advertisement including information indicating whether an associated edge device is a replicator; analyzing multicast advertisements from the plurality of edge devices to identify one or more replicators; receiving a centralized policy configuration associated with at least one control policy that includes a preference related to selection of at least one replicator from the identified one or more replicators, the preference applicable to a defined set of edge devices from the plurality of edge devices; and updating at least one multicast advertisement with the control policy for transmission to the defined set of edge devices, the updated at least one multicast advertisement indicating the preference for replicator selection for the defined set of edge devices based on the control policy.