Hierarchical SD-WAN Path Selection for Application-Aware Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional WAN architectures face challenges such as insufficient bandwidth, high bandwidth costs, application downtime, poor SaaS performance, complex operations, complex workflows for cloud connectivity, long deployment times, limited application visibility, and difficulty in securing the network, especially in the context of evolving enterprise network landscapes with increased mobile and IoT device traffic and cloud adoption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a hierarchical software-defined networking (SD-WAN) with optimized application performance by receiving bandwidth metrics from routers, compiling a link database, selecting a designated path based on an application routing policy, and using multiprotocol label switching labels to restrict network traffic on that path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional WAN architectures use MPLS paired with Internet or LTE links in active/backup fashion, then network reliability is improved, but bandwidth costs increase and application performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic path selection where the system continuously monitors application performance metrics (latency, jitter, packet loss) and automatically switches between active/backup paths based on real-time conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to use lower-cost Internet/LTE links when performance is adequate, while automatically transitioning to higher-quality MPLS paths when application performance deteriorates, thereby reducing bandwidth costs without sacrificing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting routing decisions based on application-specific performance thresholds. Different applications have different performance requirements, and the system modifies routing parameters dynamically to match these requirements, allowing cost-effective use of Internet/LTE links for tolerance applications while reserving MPLS paths for performance-critical applications.
2Reliability
If Internet or SaaS traffic is backhauled to a central data center or regional hub, then network security is improved, but deployment time increases and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network architecture into hierarchical levels (regional hubs and local edge routers) rather than requiring all traffic to backhaul to a central data center. This segmentation allows local routers to handle security functions and routing decisions independently, reducing deployment time by enabling distributed implementation while maintaining security through hierarchical policy enforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary controller that manages policy distribution and coordination between regional hubs and local routers. This intermediary enables automated deployment by centrally managing security policies while allowing distributed execution, thereby reducing deployment time and operational complexity compared to centralized backhauling.
3Productivity
If overlay tunnels directly connect SD-WAN edge routers, then application performance is improved, but network complexity increases and security control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a hierarchical dimension to the overlay tunnel architecture by introducing regional hub routers between edge routers and the core network. This dimensional change organizes direct peer-to-peer tunnels within regions while using hub routers for inter-region connectivity, thereby maintaining application performance through direct local tunnels while reducing overall network complexity through structured hierarchy.
Solution Approach 2:
Regional hub routers serve as intermediaries that simplify security control and path management. Instead of managing complex direct tunnels between all edge router pairs, the hub routers mediate inter-region traffic and enforce security policies centrally, reducing network complexity while maintaining the performance benefits of direct local tunnels.
4Adaptability or versatility
If hierarchical SD-WAN with hop-by-hop overlay tunnels is implemented, then network scalability is improved, but application performance deteriorates due to intermediate routing hops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hierarchical path into optimized segments, where each hop between routers is selected based on application performance requirements. The system identifies and utilizes high-performance paths within the hierarchical structure, selecting intermediate routers that minimize latency and jitter, thereby maintaining application performance while preserving the scalability benefits of hierarchical architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes routing parameters at each hierarchical level based on application performance metrics. By adjusting path selection criteria at each hop to prioritize performance-critical applications, the system maintains acceptable application performance while utilizing the scalable hierarchical structure for overall network growth.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for receiving bandwidth metrics from a plurality of routers on respective link routes in a network, compiling a link database including the bandwidth metrics of each respective link route in the network, selecting a first designated link path from the link database between a first router and a second router based on an application routing policy, the application routing policy being based on a routing metric, providing a first multiprotocol label switching label based on the first designated link path to the first router of the plurality of routers in the network, and restricting network traffic of the first router to the first designated link path provided in the first multiprotocol label switching label.