SDN Appliance End-to-End QoS Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Software Defined Networking (SDN) technologies have limited awareness of end-to-end traffic flow information, particularly in wireless access segments of converged networks, which hinders effective management of quality of service (QoS) and quality of experience (QoE) in content distribution networks.
Innovation Solution
A virtualized SDN appliance is integrated into the converged network, providing access and visibility across all segments, including wireless and IP wide area networks, to dynamically control traffic flows based on real-time traffic information, enhancing QoS management by sharing QoS parameters and DPI data between network elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If SDN uses OpenFlow protocol for traffic flow monitoring, then centralized control is achieved, but visibility into higher layers (Layer 4-7) and wireless access segment is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (SDN controller with enhanced capabilities or intermediate network elements) that bridges the gap between the OpenFlow-based SDN control plane and the wireless access segment. This intermediary collects detailed traffic flow information from Layer 4-7 and wireless access networks, then translates and forwards relevant information to the SDN controller, thereby improving visibility without fundamentally changing the OpenFlow protocol or SDN architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the information collection and processing functions across different network layers. Instead of requiring a single monolithic solution to handle all traffic flow monitoring, the system divides the task: OpenFlow handles basic SDN control, while intermediate elements handle Layer 4-7 inspection, and wireless access networks handle their own segment monitoring. This segmentation allows each component to operate within its capabilities while collectively achieving comprehensive visibility.
2Ease of operation
If SDN controller provisions end-to-end network conditions without wireless network support, then IP network control is simplified, but QoS optimization in wireless access segment is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions of the SDN controller with the wireless network's QoS management capabilities. Rather than operating independently, the SDN controller integrates with wireless network elements (such as base stations or wireless controllers) to jointly provision end-to-end QoS. This merging allows the system to maintain the simplicity of centralized SDN control while incorporating wireless-specific QoS mechanisms, thereby achieving both ease of operation and reliable QoS guarantees.
3Productivity
If SDN monitors traffic flows using Layer 2-4 inspection, then basic traffic control is achieved, but awareness of application-layer traffic characteristics is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing Layer 2-4 inspection and basic traffic control through OpenFlow in advance, while simultaneously preparing for and implementing deeper Layer 4-7 inspection at intermediate network elements. This staged approach allows the system to first establish basic traffic control efficiency, then progressively enhance application-layer awareness without disrupting existing operations. The preliminary SDN control lays the foundation for subsequent detailed application-layer monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
A content distribution network including a wireless network segment and an IP wide area network segment includes a virtualized Software Defined Networking (SDN) appliance for optimizing end-to-end quality-of-service (QoS) in the network. The SDN appliance is configured to identify and monitor traffic flows associated with respective content items, obtain end-to-end intelligence data associated with the traffic flow, the end-to-end intelligence data including quality-of-service (QoS) parameters associated with the traffic flow in the wireless network segment and the IP wide area network segment; and dynamically control the traffic flow in one or both of the wireless network segment and the IP wide area network segment based on the end-to-end intelligence data.