SDN Entry Module Location Tagging for Mobile Packet Forwarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Software Defined Networking (SDN) solutions for mobile wireless communication systems face scalability issues when handling device mobility, particularly in service chaining environments, as they require extensive control plane signaling and sub-optimal routing, especially for long-lasting flows and IPv6 networks.
Innovation Solution
A scalable solution is implemented using an entry module that associates a location value with IP packets based on the radio network node serving the mobile device, allowing packets to be forwarded efficiently across different forwarding elements without extensive reconfiguration, utilizing a management module to maintain a location registry and update tags for mobility events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SDN solutions use traditional control plane signaling for mobility management, then routing can be maintained, but scalability deteriorates due to extensive signaling overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring forwarding elements with location tags and routing rules before mobility events occur. The control plane establishes forwarding rules and location tag mappings in advance, so that when a mobile device moves, the data plane can immediately use the pre-established tags and rules to forward packets without requiring real-time control plane intervention. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable routing through pre-established paths while avoiding extensive signaling overhead during mobility events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces location tags as intermediaries that bridge the control plane and data plane. These tags are inserted into packets by forwarding elements and carry location information that enables routing decisions without requiring continuous control plane signaling. The location tags act as a mediator that allows the data plane to autonomously handle mobility routing, reducing the burden on the control plane and improving scalability while maintaining routing reliability.
2Measurement precision
If SDN solutions perform extensive reconfiguration for mobility events, then routing accuracy improves, but service continuity deteriorates due to disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple forwarding rules and location tag mappings for potential mobility destinations before handover occurs. When a mobile device moves, the forwarding element can immediately switch to pre-configured rules associated with the new location tag, maintaining routing accuracy without requiring real-time reconfiguration. This ensures service continuity by eliminating reconfiguration delays and disruptions during mobility events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the forwarding configuration adaptive and flexible. The system dynamically selects which pre-configured forwarding rules to apply based on the current location tag in the packet, allowing rapid adaptation to mobility events without extensive reconfiguration. This dynamic selection mechanism maintains routing accuracy while ensuring service continuity by enabling fast switching between pre-configured paths.
3Productivity
If SDN solutions use location tag association for packet forwarding, then forwarding efficiency improves, but control plane signaling reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the need for extensive control plane signaling from the packet forwarding process. Instead of relying on continuous control plane messages to guide routing decisions, the system extracts the essential location information into compact location tags that are embedded in packets. These tags contain sufficient information for forwarding elements to make routing decisions autonomously in the data plane, improving forwarding efficiency while reducing control plane signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The location tag serves as an intermediary that carries routing information from the control plane to the data plane in a compact form. Rather than requiring extensive control plane signaling for each packet, the location tag encapsulates the necessary routing information that enables efficient data plane forwarding. This intermediary mechanism achieves high forwarding efficiency while minimizing control plane involvement and signaling overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for managing packets in a communication system based on Software Defined Networking are disclosed. The communication system's data plane comprises a forwarding module, a service module, and an entry module, and the communication system's control plane comprises a management module. The entry module receives an IP packet from the peer device, the IP packet including a destination IP address associated with the mobile device. The entry module obtains, from the management module, a location value specifying the radio network node associated with the destination IP address. The entry module associates the location value with the IP packet, wherein the location value is related to a location tag name, indicating the radio network node that serves the mobile device, thereby obtaining a packet. The entry module sends the packet, via the forwarding module, towards the radio network node as indicated by the location value of the location tag name.