Adaptive SD-WAN Routing Policies for SLA-Aware Path Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Application-Aware Routing (AAR) policies in SD-WANs are static and reactive, requiring manual configuration and often fail to accurately reflect application requirements, leading to inefficient and stale routing policies that can result in SLA violations and network inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive mechanism is implemented using an SD-WAN controller and analytics engine to automatically generate and update AAR policies based on real-time network insights, ensuring that routing policies reflect the intent and preferences of applications, thereby selecting optimal paths to prevent SLA violations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If static AAR policies are manually configured, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to dynamic network conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the network to automatically generate and update AAR policies based on real-time traffic analysis and SLA monitoring, eliminating the need for manual policy configuration while maintaining high adaptability to dynamic network conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where traffic flow data and SLA compliance information are continuously monitored and fed back into the policy generation process, enabling automatic adaptation to changing network conditions without manual intervention
2Reliability
If reactive AAR policies are used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to SLA violations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by proactively generating and updating AAR policies before SLA violations occur, using predictive analysis of traffic patterns and network conditions to prevent violations rather than reacting after they happen
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors SLA compliance and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust routing policies, ensuring reliable SLA adherence through closed-loop control that automatically corrects potential violations before they impact service quality
3Productivity
If manual policy creation is required, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates manual policy creation by implementing automated policy generation that instantly creates AAR policies based on detected traffic patterns and SLA requirements, dramatically increasing deployment speed without requiring expert configuration time
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of network traffic and SLA requirements to pre-generate optimized routing policies, eliminating the need for manual configuration and enabling rapid deployment that keeps pace with dynamic network changes
4Adaptability or versatility
If static preferred paths are set, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates when ISP networks change
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static to dynamic path selection by continuously monitoring network conditions and automatically updating preferred paths in response to changes in ISP networks, load variations, and SLA compliance status, maintaining high adaptability without manual path reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from real-time network monitoring and SLA compliance data to dynamically adjust preferred paths, ensuring continuous adaptability to network changes while maintaining simple operation through automated decision-making
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes techniques for improving routing policy awareness in a network. The method includes detecting, by a controller, an application initiated for use at an edge node of a network. Then, generating, by an analytics engine coupled to the controller, analytical data of traffic flow at the edge node of the network wherein the traffic flow is in accordance with a routing policy for routing traffic associated with the application. Further, routing of the traffic through a path from one or more paths configured at the edge node that is in accordance with at least a Service Level Agreement (SLA) for traffic flow. Also, in response to an SLA violation during routing of the traffic, causing an action, by the controller, of routing traffic flow through another path that is in accordance with at least the SLA for traffic flow based on analytical data received of the traffic flow.