SDN Controller Zero-Config Adjacency via Packet Snooping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing complex large computer networks is costly and requires manual configuration changes, which can be inefficient and error-prone, especially when changes occur in infrastructure or application deployment.
Innovation Solution
A transport software-defined networking (SDN) controller that automatically configures transport layer connections by inspecting network layer adjacency requests and setting up or modifying physical layer connections between network elements, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration changes are used to manage network connections, then network devices can be controlled, but operational costs increase and errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The network elements automatically generate adjacency discovery messages and the SDN controller autonomously processes these messages to establish connections, eliminating the need for manual configuration by system administrators
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses adjacency discovery messages that provide feedback about network topology and connectivity status, enabling the SDN controller to dynamically adjust and optimize network connections based on real-time information
2Adaptability or versatility
If centralized control is implemented to manage network intelligence, then control decisions are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Network intelligence and control functionality are extracted from individual network devices and consolidated into a separate SDN controller, allowing devices to focus on packet forwarding while the controller handles routing and management decisions
Solution Approach 2:
The SDN controller acts as an intermediary between network elements, receiving adjacency discovery messages, processing topology information, and making control decisions to establish connections without requiring complex interactions between individual network devices
3Productivity
If automatic connection setup is implemented, then operational efficiency improves, but configuration precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Network elements perform preliminary adjacency discovery by generating and exchanging discovery messages before formal connection establishment, allowing the SDN controller to pre-process topology information and prepare connection configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical configuration processes with automated electronic message exchange and processing, where adjacency discovery messages and SDN controller logic automatically establish connections based on discovered network topology
Data Source
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AI summary
A transport software defined networking (SDN) controller comprising a receiver and a processor coupled to the receiver. The processor is configured to cause the transport SDN controller to determine a physical topology based on physical layer adjacency discovery messages received from physical layer network elements (NEs), receive advertisement messages from the physical layer NEs, each advertisement message comprising a mapping between an adjacent network layer NE and a port of the associated physical layer NE, extract a network layer adjacency request from some of the advertisement messages indicating a first network layer NE is requesting a network layer connection with a second network layer NE, and setup a physical layer connection between the first network layer NE and the second network layer NE based on the network layer adjacency request, the advertisement messages, and the physical topology.