SDN Controller L2CP Abstraction for Cable Network Congestion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cable television systems face complexity in data control due to multiple independently operating network elements, leading to unbalanced traffic flows and network congestion, particularly in coordinating content deliveries and managing Layer 2 Control Protocol (L2CP) processing.
Innovation Solution
A software-defined network (SDN) controller is introduced to virtualize network elements and operate in a cloud computing environment, abstracting L2CP frame processing and balancing data traffic by determining how L2CP should be processed, thereby relieving network elements of Ethernet frame processing burdens and managing traffic centrally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independently operating network elements are used to deliver content, then service versatility and adaptability are improved, but data control complexity and network congestion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an L2CP server as an intermediary component that sits between the network elements and the control plane. This server centralizes Layer 2 control protocol processing, allowing multiple network elements to operate independently for service delivery while a single centralized entity manages the complexity of data control and traffic coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts L2CP frame processing functionality from the network elements and places it in a centralized L2CP server. This extraction removes the complex control plane processing burden from individual network elements, allowing them to focus on service delivery while the centralized server handles data control complexity.
2Speed
If network elements process L2CP frames locally, then processing speed is improved, but network congestion and traffic imbalance occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges L2CP processing functions into a single centralized L2CP server that handles traffic for multiple network elements. This consolidation combines processing operations that would otherwise be distributed, allowing for more efficient resource utilization and preventing local processing bottlenecks from causing network congestion.
Solution Approach 2:
The L2CP server acts as an intermediary that receives L2CP frames from network elements, processes them centrally, and returns control instructions. This intermediate processing layer prevents direct peer-to-peer traffic imbalances and congestion by coordinating all control plane traffic through a single point.
3Device complexity
If centralized L2CP processing is implemented, then data control complexity is reduced, but processing latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having network elements send L2CP frames to the centralized server for processing before actual data transmission occurs. The server pre-processes control decisions and returns instructions that can be executed immediately, reducing the time spent on complex control plane calculations during data transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods presented herein provide for a software defined network (SDN) controller that virtualizes network elements to provide content delivery and data services through the virtualized network elements. In one embodiment, the SDN controller is operable in a cloud computing environment to balance data traffic through the virtualized network elements. For example, the SDN controller may abstract Layer 2 Control Protocol (L2CP) frame processing of the network elements into the cloud computing environment to relieve the network elements from the burdens of Ethernet frame processing. In this regard, the SDN controller comprises a L2CP decision module that determines how L2CP should be processed for the network elements.