OpenFlow Controller Dynamic Re-integration for Flow Table Scalability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In OpenFlow networks, the integration of flow entries to reduce data size in the flow table leads to irreversible entry merging, making it difficult to restore original entries and resulting in an increase in the number of flow entries, which limits scalability due to memory constraints.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus that generates and transmits re-integration entries based on new flow entries and pre-integration entries, allowing dynamic changes to integration rules to minimize the number of flow entries stored in switches, thereby reducing memory pressure and enhancing scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If flow entries are integrated to reduce data size in the flow table, then the number of flow entries is reduced, but the integration is irreversible making it difficult to restore original entries when new flows are added
Solution Approach 1:
The controller stores pre-integration flow entries (original entries before integration) in addition to integration flow entries. This preliminary preservation of original data enables future restoration or re-integration when network conditions change or new flows are added, solving the irreversibility problem of traditional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of permanently discarding original flow entries during integration, the controller recovers and retains them in storage. This allows the system to recover original entries when needed for re-integration operations, transforming the traditional discard-and-lose approach into a recoverable process.
2Ease of operation
If integration rules are fixed to maintain stability, then the system is simple to operate, but the number of flow entries increases when new flows cannot be integrated
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from fixed integration rules to dynamic re-integration capabilities. The controller can recreate integration rules based on current flow table contents and newly added flows, allowing the integration strategy to adapt dynamically rather than being constrained by predetermined static rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller monitors the flow table contents and integrates this feedback with newly added flows to determine optimal re-integration strategies. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adjust integration rules based on actual network conditions and flow patterns.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the controller stores all original flow entries to enable restoration, then entry recovery is possible, but memory consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller extracts and stores only the necessary pre-integration flow entry information needed for potential re-integration, rather than storing complete redundant copies of all original entries. This selective extraction reduces memory overhead while maintaining restoration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a nested structure where integration flow entries contain references or condensed information about original entries, which are stored in a hierarchical manner. This nesting allows efficient storage where original entry details are accessible when needed but do not consume full memory resources continuously.
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus includes a generation unit to generate a plurality of entries to be supplied with the switch, the plurality of entries being stored in a storage, a transmission unit to transmit to the switch an integration entry that the plurality of entries is integrated in an integration rule, the switch storing the plurality of entries in a table used for processing input packets, an acquisition unit to acquire the plurality of entries from the storage, and a control unit to perform re-integration processing including generating a re-integration entry integrated the plurality of entries and an additional entry in a re-integration rule created based on content of the plurality of entries and the additional entry, the re-integration entry being transmitted to the switch.