Network Controller Traffic Steering for Transport Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current information transport networks face inefficiencies in utilizing costly infrastructure, as sending all traffic types over packet-switched backbones can be economically disadvantageous, especially when router resources are more expensive than transport layer resources.
Innovation Solution
A network controller and switches, such as N×M or OpenFlow switches, are used to dynamically route data traffic between packet-switched and transport layers based on traffic characteristics and network information, optimizing the path to reduce costs and enhance resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If all service and traffic types are transported over the packet switched backbone, then network coverage and service delivery are ensured, but transport costs increase significantly due to higher per-bit pricing and router processing expenses
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between packet-switched and transport-layer routing based on real-time traffic characteristics and network conditions. The network controller continuously monitors traffic patterns and adjusts routing decisions, enabling the network to adaptively switch between cost-effective transport-layer paths and flexible packet-switched paths as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the routing parameter from fixed packet-switched routing to variable multi-layer routing. By introducing a decision-making framework that evaluates traffic characteristics (bandwidth, latency requirements, packet size) and network state (available capacity, cost metrics), the system selects optimal routing parameters dynamically, achieving cost reduction without sacrificing necessary flexibility.
2Loss of energy
If packet flows are transported through the transport layer as flexibly-sized circuits, then transport costs are reduced by avoiding costly router processing, but network control and service differentiation become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The network controller serves as an intermediary between the transport layer and packet layer, making intelligent routing decisions based on traffic characteristics. This intermediary component analyzes traffic patterns and determines whether to route flows through the cost-effective transport layer or the flexible packet layer, thereby reducing router processing costs while maintaining necessary network control through centralized intelligence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments traffic flows into different routing categories based on their characteristics. Large, circuit-like flows are routed through the transport layer to avoid router processing costs, while smaller or latency-sensitive flows remain in the packet layer. This segmentation allows the network to exploit the cost advantages of transport-layer routing for appropriate traffic types without compromising overall network control.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are disclosed for receiving, with circuitry of a network controller, information indicative of characteristics of incoming data traffic in an information transport network, the network comprising at least one packet switched layer and at least one transport layer; determining to transport the incoming data traffic through at least one determined layer being at least one of the packet switched layer and the transport layer, based on the characteristics of the incoming data traffic and/or network information; determining at least one route for the incoming data traffic through the determined layer; and transmitting a signal containing computer executable instructions to at least one switch, to configure the switch to steer the incoming data traffic through the at least one route of the at least one determined layer. The information indicative of characteristics of data traffic may be gathered/provided by one or more traffic monitor.