OpenFlow Switch Flow Table Modification Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing OpenFlow protocol is inefficient in modifying flow tables, leading to information redundancy and a high load on the interface due to the need for multiple modify flow entry messages to update multiple flow entries.
Innovation Solution
A method where a switch receives a modify flow entry message with a flow table identifier, operation type, and new match field, searches for matching flow entries, and updates only the matching fields, reducing the number of messages required and minimizing redundant information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the controller uses traditional modify flow entry messages to update flow entries, then the flow table can be modified, but the number of messages increases significantly and interface load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple modify flow entry messages into a single message by combining multiple flow entry modification operations. The controller packages multiple flow entry updates (including match field modifications, action modifications, and counter resets) into one consolidated modify flow entry message, reducing the number of messages sent to the switch and improving modification efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the modify flow entry message into distinct operation types (e.g., match field modification, action modification, counter reset) within a single message framework. This allows the switch to process different types of modifications efficiently while receiving only one message, rather than separate messages for each modification type.
2Productivity
If the controller sends complete match and action fields in each modify flow entry message, then flow entries can be updated, but information redundancy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary modification information from complete flow entry definitions. Instead of sending entire match and action fields in each modify message, the controller extracts and sends only the specific fields that need to be modified (e.g., only the changed match fields or action parameters), reducing information redundancy while maintaining update effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by sending different types of modification information (match field changes, action changes, counter resets) in a structured manner within the same message. Each operation type contains only the specific local information needed for that modification, avoiding the redundancy of sending complete flow entry definitions when only partial updates are required.
3Productivity
If the controller sends 2N modify flow entry messages to modify N flow entries, then all flow entries can be updated, but the interface becomes overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges N separate modify flow entry messages into a single consolidated message that contains all N flow entry modifications. The controller packages multiple flow entry updates with different match fields, actions, and counters into one message, reducing interface load from 2N messages to one message while maintaining the ability to update all N flow entries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal modify flow entry message structure that can handle multiple types of flow entry modifications (match field changes, action modifications, counter resets) for multiple flow entries simultaneously. This multi-functional message format allows a single message to perform what previously required multiple specialized messages, reducing interface complexity and load.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a flow table modifying method, a flow table modifying apparatus, and an OpenFlow network system. The flow table modifying method includes: receiving, by a switch, a modify flow entry message sent by a controller; searching, by the switch, a flow table corresponding to a flow table identifier for whether there is a flow entry matching to-be-modified target information; and in a case in which there is the flow entry matching the to-be-modified target information, changing, by the switch, a match field in the matched flow entry to a new match field. According to the flow table modifying method in an embodiment of the present invention, the switch searches the flow table corresponding to the flow table identifier for the flow entry matching the to-be-modified target information and changes the match field in the matched flow entry to the new match field.