Neutral Host Network-as-a-Service Path Computation for SLA-Aware Tunnels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network-as-a-service (NaaS) models lack end-to-end path control and on-demand provisioning, leading to challenges in ensuring compatibility of service providers along the connection path with user requirements for services like deep packet inspection (DPI) and encapsulation, especially in a multi-provider internet environment.
Innovation Solution
An end-to-end neutral host network-as-a-service (NHNaaS) system that registers service providers' capabilities, uses a network monitoring service for holistic internet visibility, and computes optimal paths that meet user parameters, enabling SLA-aware tunnels across multiple providers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple service providers offer different services and transport services across different parts of the Internet, then service diversity and coverage are improved, but it becomes extremely difficult to ensure compatibility of all service providers along the connection path with user requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a path computation element (PCE) as an intermediary that centralizes the complex task of verifying service provider compatibility. The PCE receives connection requests, queries a database of service provider capabilities, and computes paths that satisfy user requirements. This mediator approach transforms the distributed complexity of verifying multiple providers into a centralized computation task, resolving the contradiction between service diversity and compatibility verification complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If service providers offer different value-added services such as deep packet inspection, firewalls, and proxy, then service functionality is improved, but ensuring all providers along the path support required services becomes extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-collecting and storing service capability information from all service providers in a centralized database before connection requests arrive. The path computation element queries this pre-prepared database to verify that all providers along the computed path support the required value-added services. This preliminary data collection and verification approach ensures service support reliability without adding complexity to real-time connection establishment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different service providers offer different transport services and encapsulation, then transport options are improved, but path compatibility and service consistency become extremely difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the path computation element continuously queries the service provider database, receives information about available transport services and encapsulation options, and adjusts path computations accordingly. The system provides feedback loops that verify service consistency along proposed paths and allow dynamic adjustment of routing decisions based on real-time service availability information, making path establishment easier despite diverse transport options.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for determining an optimal connection path by a NHNaaS are described. The techniques may include receiving a registration from an IPS that includes service ISP service parameters, and storing the registration in a NaaS database. A request to connect to a remote service from a user device, including user parameters required is received. ISPs having respective service parameters compatible with the user parameters are identified in the NaaS database. Multiple paths offered by the service providers between the user device and the remote service are determined. Network performance data for each path is received from a network monitoring service. Using the network performance data, an optimal path for establishing the connection is identified. A request to instantiate a tunnel between the user device and remote service is transmitted to the service providers along the optimal path and the tunnel information is transmitted to the user device.