SDN Controller Dynamic Protocol Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) controllers face compatibility issues with dataflow devices due to unsupported protocol features, requiring manual driver updates and administrative intervention to manage varying feature support across different devices.

Innovation Solution

The SDN controller dynamically updates device drivers using information from dataflow devices, other controllers, and a repository, employing machine learning to determine supported features and adapt protocol commands, thereby enhancing compatibility without manual reprogramming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the SDN controller uses a standardized protocol to communicate with dataflow devices, then interoperability and ease of operation are improved, but compatibility issues arise when optional components of the protocol are unsupported by some devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The SDN controller dynamically adapts the protocol by selectively enabling or disabling optional components based on the capabilities of each dataflow device. The controller receives capability information from devices and adjusts protocol usage in real-time, transforming a static protocol implementation into a dynamic one that accommodates device variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different protocol configurations are applied to different dataflow devices based on their individual capabilities. Each device receives a tailored protocol implementation where optional components are included or excluded according to that specific device's support, rather than using a uniform protocol configuration for all devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the SDN controller uses proprietary protocols to communicate with dataflow devices, then compatibility with specific devices is improved, but adaptability to diverse devices and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidadaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The SDN controller implements a universal communication approach by supporting multiple protocol variations within a single standardized protocol framework. The controller can function with both standardized and proprietary protocol requirements by selectively including or excluding optional components, making it universally compatible with diverse dataflow devices without requiring separate proprietary protocols for each device type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If manual driver updates are performed to manage varying feature support across devices, then compatibility is improved, but administrative burden and loss of time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidloss of time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The SDN controller automatically manages protocol compatibility by receiving capability information from dataflow devices and self-adjusting its protocol implementation. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual driver updates and administrative intervention, as the controller autonomously detects device capabilities and configures appropriate protocol usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback loop where dataflow devices provide capability information to the SDN controller, which then uses this feedback to automatically adjust protocol configuration. This continuous feedback mechanism enables the controller to adapt to varying device features without manual intervention, resolving the compatibility issue dynamically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If protocol components are conditionally supported by dataflow devices, then adaptability to device capabilities is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of detecting and measuring supported features increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddifficulty of detecting and measuring

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

Dataflow devices provide capability information about their supported protocol components before actual communication begins. This preliminary action allows the SDN controller to know in advance which optional components each device supports, eliminating the need for complex runtime detection and simplifying the overall system operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11252258B2Device-aware dynamic protocol adaptation in a software-defined network

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEV LP

AI summary

An example consistent with this disclosure includes a controller that is communicatively coupled to dataflow devices in a network. The controller receives device information from a dataflow device and determines features supported by the dataflow device based, in part, on the device information received from the dataflow device. Using a driver configured to use the features supported by the dataflow device, the controller transmits a command to the dataflow device. The controller then receives a response to the command from the dataflow device. The response to the command may include information that indicates different features are supported by the dataflow device than previously determined. The controller updates its determination of the features supported by the dataflow device and updates the driver used to transmit the command to the dataflow device.