Normalized SDN Interface for Protocol Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In dynamic network environments, configuration-dependent network functionality often requires timely updates to reflect changes in network topology, but traditional polling methods are inefficient and may lead to unnecessary network disruptions due to lack of real-time notification of configuration changes.
Innovation Solution
A notification-based service manager registers with an SDN controller to receive notifications of network configuration changes, allowing it to update configuration-dependent functionality dynamically and avoid disruptions by adapting to new network conditions without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional polling methods are used to monitor network configuration changes, then the monitoring process is simple to implement, but the responsiveness to network changes is slow and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a notification-based feedback mechanism where the SDN controller actively pushes configuration change notifications to service managers. This eliminates the polling approach and enables real-time responsiveness to network changes, directly resolving the contradiction between speed of response and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a normalized SDN interface as an intermediary layer between service managers and various SDN controllers. This interface handles protocol translation and communication, allowing service managers to interact with different SDN controllers through a standardized interface, thereby managing complexity while maintaining high responsiveness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If configuration-dependent network functionality is updated frequently to reflect network changes, then the adaptability to network topology changes is improved, but the risk of unnecessary network disruptions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary actions by having service managers register for configuration change notifications in advance. When changes occur, the pre-registered service managers receive notifications and can proactively update their functionality before disruptions occur, enabling adaptive updates without instability.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification-based feedback mechanism ensures that service managers receive accurate, real-time information about configuration changes. This feedback loop allows service managers to update their functionality based on actual network state changes, improving adaptability while maintaining reliability through informed, targeted updates rather than frequent unnecessary changes.
3Productivity
If real-time notification of configuration changes is implemented, then the productivity of network functionality updates is improved, but the complexity of message transformation between different SDN protocols increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal normalized SDN interface that can communicate with multiple different SDN controllers using various protocols. This interface handles protocol translation and transformation, allowing service managers to interact with diverse SDN controllers through a single standardized interface, thereby improving update productivity without increasing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The normalized SDN interface acts as an intermediary that translates between different SDN protocols and the standardized notification format. This mediator handles the complexity of message transformation internally, allowing service managers to receive notifications in a consistent format regardless of the underlying SDN controller protocol, thus improving productivity while shielding users from transformation complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A first message that conforms to a first software-defined networking protocol is received from a first source component. A first destination component associated with the first message is identified. A second software-defined networking protocol is determined based, at least in part, on the first destination component. The second software-defined networking protocol is one of a plurality of software-defined networking protocols. A second message that conforms to the second software-defined networking protocol is generated based, at least in part, on the first message. The second message is sent to the first destination component.