Network Controller Routing for ICN Content Request Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information Centric Networks (ICN) face inefficiencies in routing and forwarding due to a terminal-centric Internet Protocol (IP) architecture, leading to blindness and low efficiency in content request packet routing.
Innovation Solution
A network controller method that determines a forwarding path by using registration information and network topology to route content request packets efficiently, reducing blindness and improving forwarding efficiency by determining the target routing node and forwarding path based on content names and network names.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hop-by-hop query routing is used in ICN networks, then routing decisions can be made locally at each routing node, but routing efficiency deteriorates due to blindness and lack of global topology awareness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the routing function into two parts: a centralized controller that maintains global topology information and generates optimal routing paths, and distributed routing nodes that execute forwarding decisions based on instructions from the controller. This segmentation allows local nodes to operate efficiently without needing global awareness themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized controller acts as an intermediary between the content name resolution and the actual packet forwarding. It receives routing requests, queries global topology information, determines optimal paths, and provides forwarding instructions to routing nodes, thereby eliminating the blindness of hop-by-hop query while maintaining distributed forwarding capability.
2Productivity
If centralized routing control is implemented, then routing efficiency improves through global topology awareness, but system complexity increases due to the need for a centralized controller and routing information management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the routing control function into a centralized controller that consolidates global topology information and routing decision-making capabilities. This consolidation reduces the complexity burden on individual routing nodes, as they only need to implement simple forwarding based on controller instructions rather than maintaining complex global routing tables themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized controller automatically manages routing information by receiving topology updates from routing nodes, maintaining the global topology database, and generating forwarding instructions without manual intervention. This self-service capability reduces operational complexity while maintaining efficient routing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If content-name-based forwarding is used, then information-centric routing is achieved, but routing accuracy deteriorates due to lack of precise target identification compared to IP address-based routing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary content name to network location resolution before packet forwarding. The centralized controller queries the global topology database to resolve content names to specific target routing nodes and ports in advance, then provides precise forwarding instructions to intermediate nodes. This preliminary resolution action maintains information-centric routing while achieving IP-address-level routing accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for routing and forwarding, a content registration method, a router, and a network controller to improve efficiency of routing and forwarding in an ICN network. The method for routing and forwarding includes: receiving, by a network controller, a routing request message sent by a requesting routing node, where the routing request message carries a content name of requested content; determining, by the network controller according to a network topology diagram and registration information of the requested content, a proper forwarding path; and delivering, by the network controller, routing information to each routing node on the forwarding path. In the embodiments of the present invention, a network controller is introduced, and registration information and a network topology diagram are stored in the network controller, so that the network controller may be used to determine a forwarding path of a content request packet, which reduces blindness of routing and forwarding of the content request packet in an ICN network and improves efficiency of routing and forwarding.