Unified Network Traffic Management via Overlay Tunnels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network traffic management technologies face complexity in coordinating and managing network traffic between wired and wireless devices, as they require separate handling and lack unified policies for network address management, quality of service, security, and access management.
Innovation Solution
Establishing wired and wireless traffic overlay tunnels between access switches and head ends using Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) or Virtual Extensible Local Area Network (VXLAN) to convey network traffic based on connection type, allowing unified management and policy application across both wired and wireless devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate management devices are used for wired and wireless network traffic, then network traffic can be handled independently for each connection type, but device complexity and management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate wired and wireless management functions into a single unified network device. The device includes both a wired network interface and a wireless network interface, along with a unified policy manager that handles both traffic types through a common control plane and data plane, eliminating the need for separate management devices
Solution Approach 2:
The unified network device performs multiple functions by incorporating both wired and wireless management capabilities in a single device. The policy manager applies universal QoS policies, security policies, and traffic management rules to both wired and wireless traffic flows, making the device adaptable to different connection types without increasing complexity
2Reliability
If separate management devices are used for wired and wireless network traffic, then each device can be optimized for its specific connection type, but coordination complexity and troubleshooting difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging wired and wireless management into a single device with a unified control plane, the patent enables centralized logging, monitoring, and troubleshooting. The unified data plane allows consistent packet inspection and policy application across both connection types, simplifying diagnostic procedures and reducing coordination overhead between separate devices
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate management devices are used for wired and wireless network traffic, then specific policies can be applied to each connection type, but consistent policy application across both types becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The unified policy manager in the network device applies universal QoS policies, security policies, and traffic management rules to both wired and wireless traffic flows. The device maintains connection-type-specific handling capabilities while enforcing consistent policies across all interfaces through a common policy framework
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a device and method are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method for network traffic management of a network deployed at a customer site involves establishing a wired traffic overlay tunnel between an access switch (AS) of the network deployed at the customer site and a head end (HE) of the network deployed at the customer site, establishing a wireless traffic overlay tunnel between a wireless access point (AP) of the network deployed at the customer site and the HE of the network deployed at the customer site, and conveying network traffic associated with a network device through the wired traffic overlay tunnel or the wireless traffic overlay tunnel based on whether the network device connects to the network through a wired link or connects to the network wirelessly.