Software-Defined Network Component Strategy Switching via Trigger Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
In software-defined networking communication structures, existing methods lack effective countermeasures for ensuring data transport during disruptions or connection failures, particularly in switching between different data forwarding strategies.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that switch from one data forwarding strategy to another in network components and control instances based on trigger signals, with response and confirmation messages ensuring consistent operation mode changes, and using heartbeat signals for connection failure detection to introduce countermeasures for data transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a network component switches from a first forwarding strategy to a second forwarding strategy upon receiving a trigger signal, then data transport continuity is improved during disruptions, but network consistency and coordination between components deteriorate due to potential asymmetric switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where network components send response messages to the control instance indicating whether they can implement the second forwarding strategy. The control instance collects these responses and determines the overall switchability before initiating the strategy switch. This feedback loop ensures that all components are aware of each other's capabilities and coordinate their switching actions, preventing asymmetric switching while maintaining data transport continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
Before executing the actual strategy switch, the control instance performs preliminary actions by sending trigger signals to all network components and evaluating their response messages. This preliminary phase allows the control instance to assess whether the second forwarding strategy is implementable across the entire network before committing to the switch, ensuring network-wide consistency and preventing partial or asymmetric strategy adoption.
2Reliability
If individual network components autonomously switch strategies upon detecting connection failures, then local data transport reliability is improved, but overall network coordination and consistent operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control instance serves as an intermediary between network components and the central control system. Instead of allowing autonomous switching that could lead to coordination issues, the control instance receives trigger signals, evaluates component capabilities through response messages, and coordinates the strategy switch across the entire network. This intermediary role maintains both local reliability and overall network coordination by centralizing the decision-making process while enabling distributed component responses.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for operating a network component and a control instance in a software-defined networking communication infrastructure. The software-defined networking communication infrastructure is switched from an operation according to a first strategy for forwarding time-critical data streams in network components of the communication infrastructure to an operation according to a second strategy for forwarding time-critical data streams in network components as a function of at least one trigger signal, the at least one trigger signal being received in an operation according to the first strategy from a control instance in a unicast message or in a broadcast message.