SDN Controller Resource Estimation for Lookup Table Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Software-defined networking (SDN) faces challenges in configuring network elements to ensure optimal resource utilization and efficient operation, particularly in managing look-up tables and routing policies, which limits flexibility and scalability.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for retrieving look-up table specific resource consumption estimates, determining resource consumption estimates for look-up systems, and sending configuration data to network elements to ensure they can run the look-up systems, optimizing resource allocation and routing topology.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network elements are configured to run look-up systems with multiple look-up tables, then routing flexibility and functionality are improved, but resource consumption and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the configuration of look-up tables based on resource availability. The controller monitors resource consumption estimates and modifies the number and type of look-up tables deployed on network elements, changing system parameters to balance functionality with resource constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamics by making the look-up table configuration adaptive rather than static. The controller continuously evaluates resource consumption and dynamically reconfigures the network elements' look-up systems, allowing the routing flexibility to adjust according to current resource conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If network elements are configured to run look-up systems, then routing functionality is improved, but resource consumption increases and may exceed available capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting functionalityVSAvoidresource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by having network elements report their resource consumption estimates back to the controller. The controller uses this feedback information to make informed decisions about configuring look-up tables, ensuring that resource consumption remains within acceptable limits while maintaining routing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary action by calculating and evaluating resource consumption estimates before actually deploying look-up table configurations. This allows the controller to predict resource requirements and prevent over-allocation, ensuring that routing functionality is enhanced without exceeding resource capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If look-up tables are configured on network elements, then packet forwarding efficiency is improved, but under-resourced elements may fail to operate correctly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket forwarding efficiencyVSAvoidoperational reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by evaluating resource consumption estimates before deploying look-up table configurations. This preliminary assessment ensures that only network elements with sufficient resources are assigned complex look-up tables, preventing operational failures while maintaining packet forwarding efficiency for capable elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If resource consumption estimates are calculated for multiple look-up tables, then optimal resource allocation is improved, but configuration complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by using standardized resource consumption estimation metrics for different look-up table configurations. This allows the controller to quickly evaluate multiple configuration options using consistent parameters, improving resource allocation efficiency while minimizing the time required for configuration decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9385939B2Method and a controller system for configuring a software-defined network

Publication Date: 2016.07.05 CORIANT

AI summary

A method for configuring a network element of a software-defined network “SDN” includes retrieving (401), for different look-up tables, a look-up table specific resource consumption estimate indicating a load factor of at least one component of the network element when running operations related to the look-up table, determining (402), on the basis of the look-up table specific resource consumption estimates, a resource consumption estimate for at least one look-up system including one or more of the look-up tables and having functionality suitable for the network element, and sending (404) to the network element, if the network element is capable (403) of running the look-up system, configuration data defining the look-up system. The method provides a possibility to avoid configuring network elements to overload and, on the other hand, the resource consumption estimates related to different network elements can be used for optimizing the software-defined network as a whole.