OpenFlow Controller Forwarding Parameter Encoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing OpenFlow protocol faces challenges in compatibility with conventional forwarding devices, as extending it to support new forwarding parameters is time-consuming and laborious, delaying the development and promotion of SDN/OpenFlow technology.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using an extended forwarding model description language to encode and transmit forwarding parameters within the OpenFlow protocol, allowing the controller to send flow entries with encoded parameters that the forwarding device can parse, thereby supporting conventional forwarding models without requiring protocol extensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the OpenFlow protocol is extended to support new forwarding parameters not defined in the specification, then compatibility with conventional forwarding devices is improved, but the standard promotion process becomes time-consuming and laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (flow entry extension field) that acts as a bridge between the standard OpenFlow protocol and conventional forwarding devices. This intermediary allows forwarding parameters not defined in the OpenFlow specification to be transmitted without requiring formal protocol extension, thus maintaining compatibility while avoiding lengthy standard promotion processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the flow entry structure into standard fields and extendable fields. The extendable fields are specifically designed to carry additional forwarding parameters that are not part of the core OpenFlow specification, allowing the system to maintain the standard protocol structure while accommodating device-specific requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If the OpenFlow protocol is extended to support new forwarding parameters, then functionality is improved, but the complexity of protocol specification extension increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal flow entry extension mechanism that can accommodate multiple types of forwarding parameters from different conventional forwarding devices through a unified structure. This multi-functional approach allows a single extension mechanism to serve various device types and parameter requirements, reducing the need for multiple separate protocol extensions
3Reliability
If formal protocol extension processes are performed for each new forwarding parameter, then protocol completeness is improved, but the development and promotion speed of SDN/OpenFlow technology is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining an extension mechanism in the flow entry structure that can accommodate future forwarding parameters without requiring formal protocol extensions. This preliminary preparation allows the system to maintain protocol completeness for known parameters while being ready to support new parameters immediately, thus avoiding delays in technology promotion
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, an apparatus, and a system for transmitting a forwarding parameter. The method includes: obtaining, by the controller, an extended forwarding module description, where the extended forwarding module description includes a first format encoding rule, the first format encoding rule is used to indicate a type of a first forwarding parameter and a location of the first forwarding parameter in a first field, and the first field is a field in a flow entry of an OpenFlow protocol; and filling, by the controller, the first forwarding parameter in the first field according to the first format encoding rule, and sending, to the forwarding device by using the OpenFlow protocol, the flow entry that carries the first field, so that the forwarding device parses the first field in the flow entry according to the first format encoding rule, to obtain the first forwarding parameter. The present invention provides a method for transmitting a forwarding parameter simply and efficiently.