OpenFlow Switch Dynamic Priority Flow Entry Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In OpenFlow networks, path changes do not effectively distribute traffic, leading to concentration on specific links, and continuous monitoring by the OpenFlow controller increases its load, making it impractical.
Innovation Solution
A communication system that includes a control apparatus transmitting multiple flow entries with identical match conditions but different processing contents and priority change conditions to a switch, allowing the switch to dynamically adjust application priorities based on specified conditions for improved path control flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the OpenFlow controller continuously monitors traffic and rewrites flow entries to change paths, then traffic distribution is improved, but the load on the OpenFlow controller increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The switch autonomously monitors its own traffic status and automatically rewrites flow entries to change packet forwarding paths based on queue information, eliminating the need for continuous controller intervention and reducing controller load while maintaining effective traffic distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the traffic monitoring and path control functions between the controller (which sets policies) and the switch (which executes autonomous adjustments), separating the heavy monitoring burden from the controller and distributing it to the switch level
2Extent of automation
If path calculation is performed by the control apparatus, then centralized control is achieved, but traffic becomes concentrated in a particular link
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic path selection where the switch automatically adjusts packet forwarding paths based on real-time queue information, changing the static centralized path assignment into a dynamic adaptive system that distributes traffic effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The switch makes local decisions about path selection based on its own queue status, allowing each switch to optimize its own traffic forwarding independently while maintaining overall network coordination through controller-defined policies
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system contains a control apparatus and switch(es). The control apparatus transmits, to a switch, two or more flow entries having an identical match condition but having different processing content to be applied, and a condition for changing application priorities of the two or more flow entries. The switch holds the two or more flow entries, and switches the application priorities in accordance with the condition specified by the control apparatus, to process received packet(s).