SDN Forwarder IP Allocation via DHCP Relay Agent

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Solution Overview

Problem

In software-defined networking (SDN) with the OPENFLOW standard, the separation of control and forwarding planes leads to an inability for users to acquire IP addresses via DHCP in SAE network architectures, resulting in address allocation failures.

Innovation Solution

An IP address allocation system and method that enables IP address acquisition through a forwarder and control device communication, where the forwarder receives DHCP requests, acquires IP addresses from a DHCP service network element, and sends them to users based on user characteristic information, ensuring packets are routed correctly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If control plane and forwarding plane are separated in SDN, then network control flexibility is improved, but DHCP address allocation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork control flexibilityVSAvoidDHCP address allocation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a DHCP relay agent as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between the control plane and forwarding plane. The relay agent receives DHCP requests from user equipment, forwards them to DHCP servers, and relays responses back, enabling DHCP functionality in the separated SDN architecture without requiring the forwarding plane to have embedded DHCP server capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the DHCP service functionality into separate components: the DHCP relay agent handles request forwarding and the DHCP server handles address allocation. This segmentation allows the forwarding plane to focus on packet forwarding while the control plane components handle DHCP logic, maintaining both separation benefits and DHCP functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If DHCP service is integrated into control device, then address allocation functionality is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddress allocation functionalityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a network controller and a DHCP server. This universal design consolidates multiple functions into a single component, avoiding the need for separate DHCP server infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity despite the control device handling multiple responsibilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11757832B2IP address allocation system and method

Publication Date: 2023.09.12 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

An internet protocol (IP) address allocation method includes receiving, by a forwarder, an address request sent by an external network element, where the address request includes a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) request of user equipment (UE) and user characteristic information of the UE, acquiring, from a DHCP service network element according to the DHCP request, an IP address allocated to the UE, and acquiring first instruction information that is delivered by a control device according to the user characteristic information of the UE and the IP address allocated to the UE, and sending the IP address to the UE according to the user characteristic information.