SDN Control Channel Redirector for Automatic Message Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In software-defined networks (SDNs), control channel failures between SDN controllers and data plane nodes can disrupt communication, leading to disruptions in network operations as critical control messages like PACKET_IN and PACKET_OUT may be missed or lost, causing data traffic handling issues despite both the controller and switch operating normally.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method for automatic redirection of control channel messages by determining the availability of the control channel, selecting a backup port, and forwarding messages through it, using a control channel redirector to ensure continuous communication between SDN switches and controllers, even when the primary control channel is down.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the primary control channel is used for communication between SDN controller and data plane nodes, then normal operation is maintained, but communication is disrupted when control channel failure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures backup control channels before failures occur. When a control channel failure is detected, the data plane node automatically switches to the pre-configured backup channel without requiring real-time path calculation or manual intervention, thus maintaining communication reliability while managing complexity through advance preparation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a control channel redirector as an intermediary component that manages the switching between primary and backup control channels. This mediator handles the complexity of channel management by intercepting control messages and routing them through appropriate channels, isolating the complexity from the core control plane and data plane operations
2Reliability
If backup control channels are pre-configured for failure scenarios, then communication continuity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The data plane node is equipped with automatic failure detection and self-healing capabilities. When the primary control channel fails, the node automatically detects the failure, selects a backup channel from pre-configured options, and resumes communication without external intervention. This self-service approach maintains high reliability while reducing operational complexity by eliminating manual failure response procedures
3Reliability
If automatic failover to backup ports is implemented, then message delivery reliability is improved, but processing time increases due to availability checks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs availability checks and validates backup control channels in advance during normal operation. When a failure occurs, the switch to backup channels involves simple activation rather than complex real-time validation, significantly reducing the time penalty while maintaining reliable message delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The control channel selection mechanism dynamically adapts to failure conditions. During normal operation, the primary channel is used with minimal overhead. Upon failure detection, the system dynamically switches to backup channels with pre-validated paths, optimizing the balance between reliability and processing time by adapting the communication path based on real-time conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for automatic redirection of control channel messages in response to a control channel failure with a target switch in a software defined networking (SDN) network, the automatic redirection occurring before a topology of the SDN network is updated in response to the control channel failure. The method includes determining whether a control channel message is to be sent to an SDN controller, checking availability of the control channel, selecting a backup port to reach the SDN controller in response to the control channel being unavailable, and forwarding the control channel message to the SDN controller via the backup port.