SDN Hybrid Cloud Controller for Dynamic External Service Provisioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network configurations struggle to dynamically adapt to internal load conditions by automatically extending or scaling external services in response to changes in network activity, limiting their ability to efficiently manage increased loads.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a hybrid cloud controller in a software-defined networking (SDN) environment to monitor load attributes and provision additional services from external networks when internal loads exceed thresholds, dynamically extending the network to include external resources and scaling back when loads decrease.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual network configuration is used, then network stability is maintained, but adaptability to load changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to load changesVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-configuration of network services based on monitored load attributes. The hybrid cloud controller automatically detects load changes and provisions or deprovisions services without manual intervention, allowing the network to adapt to load changes while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors load attributes and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust network configuration. The controller receives load information, processes it against threshold criteria, and automatically triggers service provisioning or deprovisioning actions, creating a closed-loop adaptive system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If external services are manually provisioned, then service reliability is ensured, but response time to load changes increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse time to load changesVSAvoidautomation level
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The hybrid cloud controller automatically provisions and deprovisions external services in response to detected load changes. The system monitors load attributes, compares them to thresholds, and autonomously triggers service lifecycle events, achieving rapid automated response without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures service provisioning logic and threshold criteria in advance. When load changes occur, the pre-established automation rules immediately trigger appropriate actions, enabling rapid response while maintaining service reliability through predefined configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If network capacity is statically allocated, then resource stability is maintained, but scalability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovescalabilityVSAvoidnetwork resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static to dynamic resource allocation by continuously monitoring load attributes and automatically adjusting network capacity. The hybrid cloud controller dynamically provisions or deprovisions services based on real-time load conditions, enabling the network to scale flexibly while optimizing resource utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes network capacity parameters dynamically based on load monitoring. By adjusting the quantity of active services and network resources according to monitored load attributes and threshold criteria, the system achieves scalability while maintaining efficient resource utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2972855B1Automatic configuration of external services based upon network activity
Publication Date: 2017.12.20 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP2972855B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2972855B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2972855B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

System, computer program product, and method to configure an external network based on internal network conditions, by monitoring a load attribute of one or more network flows traversing an ingress port of at least one network element in a software-defined networking (SDN) enabled network, upon determining that the load attribute of a first network element in the SDN enabled network exceeds a predefined threshold, provisioning, by the application, an additional service on the external network, by the application, an additional service on the external network, and extending, by the application, the SDN enabled network to include the additional service on the external network.