Network Path Control with Local Rerouting After Controller Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centralized controllers in networks face challenges in timely repair of non-operational paths due to information overload and potential operational failures, leading to traffic loss and resource wastage.
Innovation Solution
A controller platform shares path control with network devices, providing path data that includes primary and secondary paths, allowing devices to reroute traffic and repair paths autonomously, thereby reducing resource wastage and ensuring continuous network functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centralized controller manages all path control in the network, then path management is centralized and coordinated, but the controller experiences information overload and operational failures leading to delayed repair response
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides path control functionality between the centralized controller and individual network devices. Each network device stores local path data and can autonomously execute rerouting decisions, segmenting the centralized control function to reduce the controller's information processing burden and enable faster local response to path failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having network devices pre-store multiple path options (primary and secondary paths) and path data before failures occur. When a path failure is detected, devices can immediately execute rerouting using pre-prepared path information without waiting for controller instructions, significantly reducing repair response time.
2Reliability
If the centralized controller becomes non-operational, then network control is disrupted, but network devices can continue to reroute traffic using stored path data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments path control authority between the centralized controller and distributed network devices. Each device maintains local path data and can independently perform rerouting operations, enabling the network to function autonomously even when the centralized controller is unavailable, thus improving reliability without requiring full centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling network devices to autonomously detect path failures, select alternative paths from stored data, and execute rerouting without requiring continuous controller intervention. This self-service capability ensures network functionality continues during controller outages while distributing control complexity to individual devices that can handle it locally.
3Loss of time
If path data is stored at the centralized controller only, then data consistency is maintained, but rerouting response time increases due to controller dependency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having network devices pre-store complete path data (including primary and secondary paths) before failures occur. This advance preparation ensures that when failures happen, devices have immediate access to all necessary routing information locally, eliminating delays associated with retrieving data from the centralized controller during critical rerouting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments path data storage between the centralized controller and individual network devices. Each device maintains local copies of path data relevant to its operations, enabling independent access and eliminating the single point of data access at the controller. This segmentation improves response time while maintaining data consistency through periodic updates from the controller.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device provides path data associated with a network that includes network devices interconnected by links. The path data includes data identifying a first path and a second path to be provided through the network. The device provides an instruction to cause the network devices to provide information identifying the first path and to route traffic via the first path, and receives an indication of a failure associated with the first path. The indication causes the network devices to provide information identifying the second path and to re-route the traffic from the first path to the second path. The device causes the failure associated with the first path to be repaired while the traffic is re-routed to the second path, and provides, based on causing the failure to be repaired, another instruction to cause the network devices to route the traffic via the first path.