OpenFlow Network Domain Identification via BCMC Base Flow Entries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems in OpenFlow networks face limitations in handling a large number of VLANs for broadcast and multicast operations, leading to an increase in the number of flow entries required, which constrains network performance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a communication system with a control apparatus that sets broadcast or multicast domains in forwarding nodes, using broadcast or multicast control information associating packet forwarding destinations with match conditions and identifiers for domain identification, and employing BCMC base flow entries to manage packet forwarding without relying on VLAN IDs, thereby reducing the number of flow entries needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If VLAN IDs are used to identify broadcast and multicast domains in OpenFlow networks, then the number of VLANs that can be handled is limited to 4,096, but the system structure remains simple using standard VLAN headers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension for identifying broadcast and multicast domains by using domain identifiers (such as IP addresses or MAC addresses) instead of relying solely on VLAN IDs. This dimensional change allows the system to handle an unlimited number of broadcast and multicast domains without being constrained by the 4,096 VLAN ID limit, while maintaining compatibility with existing VLAN infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces flow entries as intermediary elements that map domain identifiers to forwarding actions. These flow entries act as a mediator between the domain identification mechanism and the packet forwarding process, enabling flexible handling of broadcast and multicast traffic without requiring changes to the underlying VLAN header structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of VLANs is increased to handle more broadcast and multicast domains, then the number of flow entries must increase dramatically to maintain proper forwarding control, but this increases device complexity and memory requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing flow entries that match domain identifiers (such as IP addresses or MAC addresses) rather than creating individual flow entries for each VLAN. This allows the system to handle multiple broadcast and multicast domains within the same VLAN using a single flow entry, significantly reducing the total number of flow entries required
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes flow entries universal by designing them to match domain identifiers that can represent multiple VLANs simultaneously. A single flow entry with a domain identifier match condition can control forwarding for multiple broadcast and multicast domains across different VLANs, eliminating the need for separate flow entries for each VLAN-domain combination
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system includes: a control apparatus that sets broadcast domains or multicast domains respectively for virtual networks configured in a physical network including a forwarding node(s), and sets, in the forwarding node(s), broadcast or multicast control information, associating a packet forwarding destination and a match condition including an identifier for identifying one of the broadcast domains or multicast domains; and the forwarding node(s) that performs a broadcast or multicast using the broadcast or multicast control information.