SDN Controller Routing High-Priority Traffic Through Physically Distinct Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional networks in electric power transmission and distribution systems face complexity in managing traffic flows, leading to challenges in configuring physically distinct communication paths for high-priority traffic, which can result in latency issues and reduced reliability due to susceptibility to single points of failure.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a software-defined network (SDN) with a controller that automatically generates and routes high-priority traffic flows through physically distinct communication paths, including failover paths, to reduce latency and enhance reliability by separating primary and secondary paths, thereby meeting N−1 reliability criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional network routing is used, then configuration simplicity is maintained, but reliability deteriorates due to single points of failure
Solution Approach 1:
An SDN controller is introduced as an intermediary between network administrators and physical network devices. The controller automatically generates physically distinct communication paths and configures routing policies, eliminating the need for manual configuration of redundant paths while ensuring reliability through automated path separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures physically distinct primary and secondary communication paths before failures occur. By anticipating potential single points of failure and establishing separate routing paths in advance, the system ensures automatic failover capability without requiring real-time routing decisions during failures.
2Speed
If traffic is routed through shared communication paths, then device complexity is reduced, but latency increases for high-priority traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The network traffic is segmented into different priority levels, and physically distinct communication paths are allocated for high-priority traffic. This segmentation ensures that high-priority packets traverse dedicated paths without being delayed by lower-priority traffic sharing the same infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality levels of service are applied to different traffic flows by routing high-priority traffic through physically distinct paths with guaranteed performance characteristics, while other traffic may share resources. This local quality differentiation optimizes speed for critical traffic without requiring complete path separation for all traffic.
3Reliability
If manual configuration of physically distinct paths is implemented, then reliability improves, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The SDN controller implements self-service by automatically discovering the physical network topology, identifying potential single points of failure, and generating physically distinct communication paths without human intervention. The system monitors itself and dynamically adjusts routing to maintain reliability while eliminating manual configuration efforts.
4Reliability
If network traffic is consolidated through shared paths, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to single points of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts traffic routing based on real-time network conditions and failure detection. When the primary path is operational, traffic flows through it for optimal productivity; when failures are detected, traffic automatically transitions to physically distinct secondary paths, maintaining both efficiency and reliability through adaptive behavior.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods to identify high-priority traffic within a software defined network (“SDN”) and to route such traffic through physically distinct communication paths. Such routing may help to reduce network congestion faced by high-priority traffic and increase the reliability of transmission of such data. Certain embodiments may further be configured to generate a failover communication path that is physically distinct from a primary communication path. Still further, certain embodiments may be configured to suggest enhancements to a network that may improve a reliability criterion.