SDN Controller Encoding Message IDs for ICN over IP
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for providing information centric networks face challenges such as external requestors not knowing how to reach border nodes, increased load on border nodes due to packet encapsulation and decapsulation, inefficient routing, and the need for changes to underlying operating systems and network stacks.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a software defined network with a controller to encode message IDs into packet headers, establish forwarding rules, and manage routing and forwarding within the physical network, allowing information centric network communication over existing IP networks without requiring changes to operating systems and reducing load on network elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If border nodes perform packet encapsulation and decapsulation to enable information centric network communication over IP networks, then compatibility with existing IP networks is improved, but processing load on border nodes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex encapsulation and decapsulation logic from border nodes and relocates it to a dedicated controller. The controller handles name-to-location mapping and packet rewriting, while border nodes perform only simple packet forwarding based on controller instructions, significantly reducing their processing load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary between information centric network elements and the IP network infrastructure. The controller performs name resolution, determines optimal paths, and manages packet rewriting, acting as a mediator that offloads complex processing from border nodes while maintaining compatibility with existing IP networks.
2Ease of operation
If external requestors use conventional IP addressing to reach border nodes, then simplicity of connection is improved, but routing efficiency deteriorates due to lack of location awareness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller receives information about requestor locations and network state, then dynamically determines optimal routing paths. The controller uses this feedback to install appropriate forwarding rules on border nodes, enabling efficient routing that adapts to current network conditions while maintaining simple IP-based connectivity for requestors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary name-to-location mapping and path determination by the controller before packets are forwarded. The controller pre-calculates optimal routes and installs forwarding rules on border nodes in advance, so that actual packet forwarding follows efficient pre-determined paths without requiring real-time routing decisions at border nodes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If information centric networking protocols are implemented directly on physical network devices, then networking functionality is improved, but device complexity and required software changes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary that implements the information centric networking protocol logic, while physical network devices continue to operate with standard IP networking software. The controller translates ICN operations into IP-based packet forwarding, enabling ICN functionality without requiring changes to underlying network device operating systems or stacks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual overlay network that copies the essential functionality of information centric networking on top of the existing IP network infrastructure. Instead of modifying physical devices to support ICN natively, the solution creates a virtual layer that emulates ICN behavior using standard IP packets and controller-based management.
Data Source
AI summary
A method provides an information centric network with a software defined network based on an information centric networking protocol on top of a physical network based on an internet protocol. A controller in the software defined network receives a first packet of an object request in the information centric network. The controller encodes a message ID indicating an object source of the object request into a header of the first packet. The controller installs forwarding rules on forwarding elements in the physical network such that further packets of the object request are forwarded according to the installed forwarding rules by the forwarding elements rewriting headers of the further packets.