SDN Multi-Domain Backup via Dual-Port Switch

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing data communication networks in the power industry face challenges with low network resource utilization and reliability due to a lack of global control and unified control planes, leading to inefficiencies in operation and maintenance, and are vulnerable to failures that can cause network paralysis.

Innovation Solution

A software-defined network (SDN) multi-domain network backup method using a dual-port switch with a redundant backup mechanism, dividing the network into regions with a master and slave controller, and utilizing dual-port switches to ensure continuous communication by switching between ports and controllers in case of failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a single SDN controller is used to control several SDN switches, then the network control is centralized and programmable, but if the controller or link fails, the network system becomes paralyzed and reliability greatly decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentralized network controlVSAvoidnetwork system reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the network into multiple domains, each with its own SDN controller, rather than using a single centralized controller. This segmentation allows local control while maintaining overall system functionality even when individual controllers fail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a hot-standby controller mechanism where backup controllers are pre-configured and ready to take over immediately upon detecting master controller failure, ensuring continuous network operation without paralysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If each device in the network is controlled separately, then device independence is maintained, but the network lacks global view and overall control capability, unable to grasp operation state in real time and realize global scheduling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice independenceVSAvoidglobal network state information
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges control functions across multiple domains through the main SDN controller, which aggregates state information from domain controllers and enables global network visibility and coordination while preserving local device independence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The domain-level SDN controllers act as intermediaries between individual switches and the main controller, localizing control decisions while reporting to and receiving coordination from the main controller, thus maintaining both device independence and global awareness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the traditional communication network architecture is used, then hardware and software are closely integrated, but the network lacks unified control plane and operation and maintenance efficiency are low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehardware-software integrationVSAvoidoperation and maintenance efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the control plane functions from traditional integrated network devices and consolidates them into dedicated SDN controllers, separating control logic from forwarding hardware to enable efficient centralized management and automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3651412B1SDN multi-domain network backup method and system based on dual-port switch
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 GLOBAL ENERGY INTERCONNECTION RES INST CO LTD
  • EP3651412B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3651412B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided are an SDN multi-domain network backup method and system based on a dual-port switch. The device comprises an SDN master controller, with an SDN controller 1 serving as an SDN main controller, and SDN controllers 2 serving as an SDN slave controller and a plurality of dual port-switches. Two ports of the switch are respectively connected to a port 1 of the SDN main controller and a port 1 of the SDN slave controller; and a port 2 of the SDN main controller and a port 2 of the SDN slave controller are respectively connected to the SDN master controller. At the same time, further provided is a backup method based on the device, wherein same realizes double backup of a link between an SDN controller, and SDN control and a switch. By using the device and method, it can be ensured that the system still works normally in the case where several links of a network or even a certain SDN controller fail(s).