Distributed Sub-Controller Permission for SDN Mesh Traffic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In software-defined networking (SDN) mesh networks, especially in low-power and lossy networks, a significant portion of traffic flow is dedicated to the control plane due to instability and unreliable connections, leading to inefficiencies and high maintenance costs, particularly in scenarios with high loss rates and low data rates.
Innovation Solution
Implementing distributed sub-controller permission within SDN mesh networks, where a border controller calculates data-traffic paths, updates flow tables, and grants limited SDN sub-controller permission to network nodes, allowing them to manage data-traffic flow and suppress unnecessary traffic, thereby reducing control plane traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a centralized SDN controller manages all data-traffic flow in mesh networks, then network manageability and flexibility are improved, but control plane traffic increases significantly leading to inefficiencies and high maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized SDN controller into multiple distributed sub-controllers, each responsible for specific network segments or data-traffic paths. This segmentation reduces the control plane traffic burden on any single controller while maintaining centralized management capabilities through coordinated operation of multiple sub-controllers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the SDN control architecture by deploying sub-controllers at network edge locations (routers, switches, gateways) in addition to the central controller. This spatial distribution across different dimensional levels reduces control plane traffic by handling local routing decisions at the edge while maintaining central coordination.
2Quantity of substance
If distributed sub-controller permission is implemented to reduce control plane traffic, then control plane traffic is reduced, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs sub-controllers with multi-functional capabilities, allowing them to perform both local routing decisions and participate in central coordination protocols. This universality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby managing complexity while achieving control plane traffic reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces standardized communication protocols and message formats as intermediaries between sub-controllers and the central controller. These intermediaries simplify the interaction complexity by providing uniform interfaces, allowing sub-controllers to operate independently while maintaining coordinated operation through standardized mediation.
3Quantity of substance
If sub-controller permission is granted to network nodes, then control plane traffic is reduced, but coordination and management difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where sub-controllers report their decisions, status, and metrics to the central controller, which provides guidance and coordination instructions. This feedback loop maintains coordination ease by enabling continuous monitoring and adjustment of distributed sub-controller operations without increasing control plane traffic significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-configures sub-controllers with routing policies, forwarding rules, and operational parameters before they begin autonomous operation. This preliminary action reduces coordination difficulty during runtime by establishing clear operational guidelines in advance, allowing sub-controllers to make local decisions without frequent central intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for distributed sub-controller permission for control of data-traffic flow within software-defined networking (SDN) mesh networks to limit control plane traffic of the network are described herein. A technique described herein includes a network node of a data-traffic path of an SDN mesh network obtaining SDN sub-controller permission from a border controller of the SDN mesh network. Further, the technique includes suppression of data traffic from sibling and children nodes of data-traffic path allied nodes to the data-traffic path allied nodes. The data-traffic path allied nodes include network nodes that are part of the data-traffic path of the SDN mesh network. Further still, the technique includes the transmission of data across the data-traffic path.