OpenFlow Link Aggregation Control for Broadcast Packet Duplication
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Solution Overview
Problem
In OpenFlow networks with a link aggregation group, broadcast and multicast packets are duplicated, leading to inefficient traffic distribution due to node behavior at the ends of the link aggregation group.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus with a topology management unit, link aggregation group management unit, and relay apparatus control unit is implemented to manage network topology and control relay apparatuses, preventing duplicate forwarding of broadcast and multicast packets by designating a representative port for packet forwarding within the virtual logical link.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If link aggregation group is configured on OpenFlow network, then bandwidth and redundancy are improved, but broadcast and multicast packets are duplicated and forwarded multiple times causing traffic distribution inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the link aggregation group management by designating a specific relay apparatus as the 'designated relay apparatus' responsible for forwarding broadcast and multicast packets. This segmentation prevents duplicate forwarding by other relay apparatuses in the group, resolving the contradiction between maintaining aggregation benefits and preventing packet duplication.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a control apparatus as an intermediary that manages the link aggregation group and designates specific relay apparatuses for packet forwarding. This intermediary coordinates the behavior of relay apparatuses, ensuring efficient traffic distribution while maintaining the bandwidth and redundancy benefits of link aggregation.
2Reliability
If each relay apparatus forwards broadcast and multicast packets independently, then packet delivery coverage is improved, but duplicate packets are generated causing network congestion
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of allowing each relay apparatus to independently forward packets (which causes duplicates), the invention inverts the approach by having only the designated relay apparatus forward broadcast and multicast packets. This ensures comprehensive delivery coverage while preventing duplicate packet generation and network congestion.
3Ease of operation
If centralized control is implemented via control apparatus, then packet forwarding control is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements partial centralized control by having the control apparatus designate relay apparatuses for specific packet types (broadcast and multicast) while allowing relay apparatuses to handle other packets independently. This partial control approach improves packet forwarding control for critical traffic types without excessively increasing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus includes: a topology management unit that manages a network topology formed by including a plurality of relay apparatuses; a link aggregation group management unit that groups ports of the plurality of relay apparatuses, having a physical link with an arbitrary node of the network topology and manages the grouped ports as a port of a virtual logical link between the plurality of relay apparatuses and the arbitrary node; and a relay apparatus control unit that controls the plurality of relay apparatuses, having the grouped ports, so that, when one of the plurality of relay apparatuses receives a broadcast packet or a multicast packet, a plurality of same packet are not forwarded to the physical links that form the virtual logical link.