Intermediary Gateway for L2/L3 and SDN Protocol Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing L2/L3 networks, such as OSPF, face challenges in expanding to include SDN networks like OpenFlow, requiring costly network rebuilds if different protocols are used, as they cannot be directly extended with SDN networks.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device that understands both L2/L3 and SDN protocols manages packet routing by populating packet routing and flow tables, allowing data transmission between L2/L3 and SDN networks through ARP broadcasts and packet routing tables, enabling seamless communication and route updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an existing L2/L3 network is extended with an SDN network using different protocols, then network expansion and sophistication are improved, but protocol compatibility and communication reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between the L2/L3 network and the SDN network. This gateway translates packets between the two different protocol formats, enabling communication while maintaining protocol compatibility. The gateway receives packets from one network type, translates them to the other network's protocol format, and forwards them, thus resolving the protocol incompatibility issue while allowing network expansion.
2Reliability
If the entire network is rebuilt as an SDN network to enable protocol uniformity, then protocol compatibility is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into distinct L2/L3 and SDN portions that can coexist. Instead of requiring a complete network rebuild, the gateway enables these segmented portions to communicate through protocol translation. This allows incremental adoption of SDN technology without the need to replace existing L2/L3 infrastructure, significantly reducing deployment costs while maintaining protocol compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device serves multiple functions: it acts as a router for L2/L3 packets, a controller for SDN packets, and a translation engine between the two protocols. This multi-functionality allows a single device to handle both network types, reducing the need for additional hardware and lowering overall network deployment costs while maintaining protocol compatibility.
3Reliability
If a connecting device translates packets between L2/L3 and SDN protocols, then protocol compatibility is improved, but device complexity and processing overhead worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device performs preliminary actions by maintaining translation tables that map L2/L3 protocol elements to SDN protocol elements and vice versa. These tables are pre-populated with protocol conversion rules, allowing the gateway to quickly translate packets without complex real-time analysis. This preliminary preparation reduces the processing overhead and simplifies the translation process.
Data Source
AI summary
A system to communicate between a first network and a second network includes a first network, a second network, and a connecting device connected there between. The first network has a first network protocol and includes a plurality of network nodes. The second network has a second protocol different from the first protocol and includes a plurality of network switches and a controller. The connecting device transmits data from an originating network node to a destination network switch and transmits data from an originating network switch to a destination network node according to a packet routing table populated from the plurality of network nodes and a packet flow table populated from the plurality of network switches. The controller may determine the destination network switch by constructing and transmitting an ARP broadcast message to the plurality of network switches and receiving an ARP response from the destination network switch.