SDN Controller VoIP Media Flow Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional telecommunications networks face increased complexity and cost due to dedicated infrastructure for Voice-over-IP services, leading to inefficiencies in media stream routing and resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a software-defined network (SDN) controller to configure transport forwarding paths on a session-by-session basis, allowing for media traffic gating, security, and topology hiding, thereby reducing the need for access border gateway function components and optimizing infrastructure usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated network infrastructure elements are used for Voice-over-IP services, then service quality and reliability are improved, but network complexity and hardware resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling transport forwarding path network entities to perform multiple functions: they simultaneously handle traditional data forwarding and Voice-over-IP media stream routing. The SDN controller configures these entities to dynamically gate media traffic based on session requirements, allowing standard infrastructure to serve both general data and real-time voice services without dedicated separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The SDN controller acts as an intermediary between the signaling plane (SIP messages) and the media plane (RTP streams). It receives session description protocol messages, extracts media flow requirements, and translates them into configuration instructions for transport forwarding path network entities. This mediator approach allows complex VoIP service logic to be implemented without adding physical infrastructure complexity.
2Reliability
If access border gateway function components are deployed for media stream routing, then topology hiding and security are improved, but infrastructure costs and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the topology hiding and security functions from dedicated access border gateway components and integrates them directly into transport forwarding path network entities. The SDN controller configures these entities to modify IP addresses in media packets and gate traffic flows, thereby removing the need for separate aBGF components that would otherwise be required to provide the same security and anonymity functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges previously separate functions (media packet forwarding, topology hiding, security gating) into a single integrated approach using SDN-controlled transport forwarding path network entities. By combining these functions in one system rather than chaining multiple dedicated components, the patent reduces latency while maintaining security and anonymity.
3Reliability
If session description protocol messages are modified for topology hiding, then privacy and security are improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual or application-layer processing of session description protocol messages with automated SDN controller processing. The controller programmatically extracts media flow parameters from SDP messages, determines appropriate gating and address modification rules, and automatically configures transport forwarding path network entities. This automation reduces processing complexity compared to manual configuration or complex application-layer processing.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for realizing Voice-over-IP communication sessions between a calling party and a called party using a telecommunications network comprising an access and/or aggregation network and an internet protocol backbone network, wherein each voice-over-IP communication session comprises a signaling session and a media flow session, wherein both the signaling session and the media flow session is routed via a first transport forwarding path network entity and a second transport forwarding path network entity, the calling party being associated or assigned to a first proxy call state control function entity or functionality and the called party being associated or assigned to a second proxy call state control function entity or functionality, and the media flow session comprising a first media flow in the direction from the calling party to the called party as well as a second media flow in the direction from the called party to the calling party, wherein the method comprises the following steps: -- in a first step, the media flow session of the voice-over-IP communication session is initiated by means of transmitting or exchanging a session description protocol offer message and a session description protocol answer message between the first and second proxy call state control function entity or functionality as part of the signaling session, and -- in a second step, after or during the first step, the first transport forwarding path network entity is configured, by a first software defined network controller entity or functionality, and involving at least one first configuration message transmitted to the first transport forwarding path network entity, such that the first transport forwarding path network entity implements modifications regarding data packets of the first and/or second media flow on a session-by-session basis and dependent on at least a part of the content of the session description protocol offer message and the session description protocol answer message.