SDN Controller Automates Network Design and Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The configuration of traditional networks and software-defined networks (SDNs) for electric power systems is complex, time-consuming, and requires high technical proficiency, with minor errors leading to malfunctions or inefficiencies, and existing methods lack standardized management interfaces and centralized configuration capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The system automates the design and configuration of SDNs by generating optimized physical and logical network designs based on user-provided parameters, including performance requirements, organizational policies, and interface architectures, using an SDN controller to centrally manage communication flows and network devices, thereby simplifying the process and reducing errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional network configuration methods are used, then network functionality is achieved, but configuration complexity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an SDN controller as an intermediary component that mediates between the network administrator and the actual network devices. The controller provides a centralized configuration interface that automatically translates high-level configuration parameters into device-specific commands, eliminating the need for administrators to manually configure each device and reducing configuration complexity while maintaining full network functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated configuration generation where the SDN controller automatically creates optimized network configurations based on user-provided parameters and organizational policies. The controller performs self-service by autonomously generating, validating, and deploying configuration settings without requiring manual intervention for each device, thereby significantly increasing configuration productivity
2Reliability
If manual network configuration is performed, then customization is possible, but error rate increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The SDN controller implements feedback mechanisms that automatically validate configuration parameters against organizational policies and performance requirements before deployment. The system provides real-time feedback on configuration validity, identifies potential errors, and prevents deployment of incorrect configurations, thereby increasing network reliability while maintaining ease of operation through automated validation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration validation and optimization before actual deployment. The SDN controller pre-processes user-provided parameters, checks for conflicts with organizational policies, simulates configuration effects, and prepares optimized configuration sets in advance, eliminating errors before they reach the network devices and ensuring reliable deployment
3Manufacturing precision
If centralized configuration management is implemented, then configuration accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network management function into two distinct parts: a centralized SDN controller that handles high-level configuration management and policy enforcement, and distributed network devices that execute specific configuration commands. This segmentation allows centralized configuration accuracy while distributing system complexity, as each component has a specialized, simplified role in the overall architecture
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for generation of a physical and logical design of a software defined network (SDN). In one embodiment, a system may receive a plurality of user-provided parameters associated with a plurality of performance requirements of the SDN. A library may include performance metrics of a plurality of devices comprised in the SDN. An SDN design subsystem may generate the physical and logical design of the SDN based on the user-provided parameters and the performance metrics of the devices in the library. A traffic routing subsystem may generate a plurality of communication flows based on the logical design of the physical and logical design and to be implemented by the SDN. An SDN simulation subsystem may generate an assessment of the physical and logical design of the SDN and the plurality of communication flows in comparison to the user-provided parameters.