SDN Forwarding Element SLA Violation Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional network monitoring systems are cumbersome and inflexible, particularly in software-defined networks (SDNs), as they require dedicated monitoring probes and rely on constant interaction with the SDN controller, which can lead to inefficiencies and scalability issues in detecting service level agreement (SLA) violations, especially in mission-critical scenarios.

Innovation Solution

The method involves configuring forwarding elements in a software-defined network to generate probe triggering packets based on local information, enabling immediate end-to-end probing to detect SLA violations, thereby reducing dependence on the SDN controller and allowing for rapid reactions to local queue congestions without the need for dedicated monitoring devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated monitoring probes and constant SDN controller interaction are used, then network monitoring coverage is improved, but system complexity and scalability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork monitoring coverageVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables forwarding elements to autonomously generate probe triggering packets based on local queue occupation information without requiring dedicated monitoring probes. The forwarding elements self-monitor their queue states and initiate probing actions locally, eliminating the need for complex external monitoring infrastructure while maintaining comprehensive network monitoring coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the monitoring function from the control plane and embeds it directly into the data plane forwarding elements. By moving the probe generation capability to the forwarding elements themselves, the system eliminates the dependency on constant SDN controller interaction and dedicated monitoring probes, thereby reducing system complexity while preserving monitoring effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If dedicated monitoring probes are deployed, then SLA violation detection capability is improved, but deployment cost and device requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSLA violation detection capabilityVSAvoiddeployment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes forwarding elements perform dual functions: both data forwarding and monitoring initiation. The same forwarding elements that route traffic also monitor their queue states and generate probe triggering packets when needed, eliminating the need for separate dedicated monitoring probes and reducing deployment costs while maintaining SLA violation detection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Forwarding elements autonomously detect their own queue congestion conditions and initiate probing actions without external assistance. This self-service capability allows the network to maintain precise SLA violation detection using existing forwarding infrastructure, avoiding the need for additional dedicated monitoring devices and reducing overall deployment costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Extent of automation

If constant interaction with SDN controller is required, then centralized control is improved, but response time to local congestion events worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentralized controlVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-configures forwarding elements with the capability to autonomously generate probe triggering packets based on local queue occupation thresholds. When congestion occurs, forwarding elements immediately initiate probing actions using pre-established rules, eliminating the time delay associated with real-time controller interaction while maintaining centralized control policies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the monitoring function into independent local decisions at each forwarding element. Each forwarding element independently monitors its own queue state and makes local decisions about when to generate probe triggering packets, eliminating the need for constant centralized controller involvement in real-time congestion response while preserving overall centralized control architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11695648B2Method for supporting service level agreement monitoring in a software defined network and corresponding software defined network

Publication Date: 2023.07.04 SDG ASSESSMENT LTD

AI summary

A method supports service level agreement monitoring in a software defined network. The software defined network has forwarding elements and a software defined network controller for controlling the forwarding elements. Data flows are transmitted between a first end-path forwarding element, of the forwarding elements, and a second end-path forwarding element, of the forwarding elements, via at least one intermediate forwarding element, of the forwarding elements. The software defined network controller configures the intermediate forwarding element such that a probe triggering packet is generated based on local information of the intermediate forwarding element. The software defined network controller configures at least one of the first end-path forwarding element or the second end-path forwarding element such that an end-to-end probing is triggered based on receiving the probe triggering packet. The end-to-end probing is performed in order to detect a service level agreement violation.