OpenFlow Switch Ancillary Data Forwarding via Controller Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In OpenFlow communication systems, ancillary data is not properly forwarded due to constraints in the packet_in and packet_out message structures, leading to increased load on the OpenFlow controller and potential network control issues in centralized control architectures.
Innovation Solution
A communication system where a first network switch transmits ancillary data to a network controller, which retrieves and holds the data, and then transmits it to a second network switch, enabling the second switch to forward both the packet and ancillary data to a specified destination, thereby overcoming structural limitations in existing forwarding methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ancillary data is included in packet_in and packet_out messages in OpenFlow systems, then ancillary data forwarding capability is improved, but message structure complexity increases due to constraints in existing OpenFlow message formats
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the OpenFlow message structure by introducing a separate ancillary data field that is distinct from the traditional packet data. This allows ancillary data to be transmitted independently while maintaining the original message structure integrity, thus improving forwarding capability without excessively complicating the overall message format.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts ancillary data from the packet data portion and places it in a dedicated ancillary data field. This separation allows the message structure to handle both traditional packet forwarding and ancillary data transmission without conflict, resolving the structural constraints of existing OpenFlow formats.
2Reliability
If ancillary data is not forwarded properly in OpenFlow systems, then network control reliability is improved by maintaining simple message structures, but information completeness deteriorates due to loss of ancillary data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary ancillary data field that acts as a bridge between the packet data and the control logic. This intermediary structure ensures that ancillary data is properly captured, transmitted, and delivered without disrupting the established OpenFlow control mechanisms, thus maintaining reliability while preventing information loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the OpenFlow controller processes all packet forwarding decisions centrally, then network control flexibility is improved, but controller load increases due to handling of ancillary data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary processing of ancillary data at the switch level by incorporating the ancillary data field directly into the packet_out message structure. This allows switches to prepare and transmit ancillary data alongside packet data without requiring extensive centralized controller intervention, thus reducing controller load while maintaining flexible network control.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system, comprises: a first network switch that transmits to a network controller a control message containing ancillary data; the network controller that retrieves the ancillary data from the control message containing the ancillary data, holds the ancillary data, and transmits to a second network switch a control message containing the ancillary data; and the second network switch that receives the control message containing the ancillary data from the network controller, retrieves a packet to be outputted and the ancillary data, and forwards the packet and the ancillary data to a specified destination.