Dynamic Zoning for Distributed Traffic Engineering in SDN
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centralized traffic engineering in software defined networks (SDNs) leads to hardware complexity, high communication overhead, and provisioning delays due to the need for powerful computing and large bandwidth for global information collection and provisioning, which can result in computational delays and throughput degradation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dynamic zoning system where the network is divided into zones with local zone TE controllers and a master TE controller, allowing for distributed computation and local provisioning decisions, reducing the computational load and communication overhead by transmitting network status information and provisioning decisions locally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If centralized traffic engineering is implemented with a single SDN controller, then global traffic optimization can be achieved, but hardware complexity and computational delay increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the network into multiple TE zones, each managed by a local zone TE controller. This segmentation allows distributed traffic engineering while maintaining global optimization capabilities, reducing the hardware complexity burden on any single controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension with master TE controllers coordinating multiple local zone TE controllers. This dimensional change from flat centralized control to hierarchical distributed control enables global optimization while reducing individual controller complexity.
2Reliability
If centralized traffic engineering collects global network information, then comprehensive traffic management is achieved, but communication overhead and provisioning delay increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into TE zones with local controllers managing zone-specific traffic engineering. This reduces communication overhead by limiting information collection to local zones while master controllers coordinate inter-zone traffic, thereby reducing provisioning delay.
Solution Approach 2:
Local zone TE controllers pre-collect and process network status information within their zones, preparing traffic engineering decisions locally before needing coordination with master controllers. This preliminary action reduces the time required for comprehensive traffic management.
3Productivity
If powerful computing modules are deployed in SDN controller, then computational capability is improved, but hardware complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent distributes computational capability across multiple local zone TE controllers, each handling traffic engineering for their specific zone. This segmentation reduces the computational burden on any single controller while maintaining overall network productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Master TE controllers act as intermediaries that coordinate between local zone controllers and the broader network. This intermediary layer enables distributed computation while maintaining centralized coordination, balancing productivity and hardware complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
System and method embodiments are provided for traffic behavior driven dynamic zoning for distributed traffic engineering (TE) in software defined networking (SDN). In an embodiment, a method in a network component for dynamic zoning for TE in SDN includes receiving at the network component network information from at least one SDN controller from a plurality of SDN controllers in a network; determining with the network component a plurality of TE zones for the network, selecting a local zone TE controller for each of the plurality of TE zones, and selecting a master TE controller according to the network information and a zoning scheme, wherein the local zone TE controller and the master TE controller are selected form one of the SDN controllers; and transmitting with the network component an indication of the local zone TE controllers, zone membership, and the master controllers to at least some of the SDN controllers.