SD-WAN Fabric Mobile Network Integration via Policy Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing software-defined wide area networks (SD-WANs) do not effectively extend to mobile devices operating in mobile networks, leading to inefficient use of mobile network resources and increased complexity due to the lack of direct connections between mobile devices and SD-WAN fabrics.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a 5G network slice with a user plane function (UPF) instance and an SD-WAN endpoint, using policy mappings to facilitate communications across the SD-WAN fabric, allowing for Quality of Service (QoS) flows and virtual private networks (VPNs) to be managed and routed efficiently, thereby extending the SD-WAN fabric into cellular networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated VPN from mobile device to secure gateway is implemented, then direct connection between mobile device and WAN fabric is achieved, but mobile network resources are inefficiently used and device management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines mobile network management and SD-WAN fabric connectivity through a single integration point (the SD-WAN fabric itself) rather than separate dedicated VPNs. This merging eliminates the need for separate device management solutions while maintaining direct connection capability, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The SD-WAN fabric is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides both enterprise network connectivity and mobile device integration through a unified infrastructure. This multi-functionality allows mobile devices to connect directly to the WAN fabric without requiring separate dedicated VPN configurations, reducing management complexity while maintaining connection reliability.
2Ease of operation
If mobile devices connect through MNO network to Internet backbone, then connectivity is achieved, but mobile network resources are inefficiently used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes SD-WAN fabric endpoints and policy mappings in advance within the mobile network infrastructure. This preliminary configuration enables mobile devices to directly access the SD-WAN fabric without traversing the entire MNO network path to the Internet backbone, thereby conserving mobile network resources while maintaining connectivity availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The SD-WAN fabric acts as an intermediary between mobile devices and the enterprise WAN, providing direct connectivity that bypasses inefficient routing through the MNO Internet backbone. This intermediary structure enables optimized resource usage while preserving ease of connectivity for mobile devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If SD-WAN fabric is extended to mobile devices, then enterprise-grade connectivity is provided, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies network parameters by introducing policy mappings that translate mobile network identifiers (IMSI, GUTI) into SD-WAN fabric routing parameters. This parameter transformation enables seamless integration of mobile devices into the enterprise SD-WAN fabric without requiring complex manual configurations, thereby increasing adaptability while managing network complexity through automated parameter translation.
Data Source
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Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A
AI summary
In one illustrative example, an interface between a user plane function (UPF) instance of a mobile network and a tunnel router endpoint of an enterprise software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) fabric is provided. The UPF instance may be part of a network slice that is (uniquely) associated with an enterprise of the enterprise SD-WAN. A plurality of mappings between policies associated with different QoS flows via the UPF instance and SD-WAN policies associated with different virtual private networks (VPNs) of the SD-WAN fabric may be maintained. Each VPN of the SD-WAN fabric may be associated with a different underlying transport mechanism that satisfies characteristics of a specific SD-WAN policy. Communications for user equipment (UE) in the mobile network may be facilitated across the SD-WAN fabric based on the policy mappings.