SDN MTU Discovery via Path Tracing and Overhead Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In software-defined networks (SDNs), determining the optimal maximum transmission unit (MTU) size is challenging due to varying network overhead requirements across different endpoints, leading to inefficient data transfer as administrators often set MTUs to the lowest common denominator to prevent packet drops, thereby undermining potential efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The method involves automatically discovering and setting the MTU size across an SDN by tracing paths between endpoints, determining the smallest MTU along those paths, and adjusting for network overhead, allowing for tailored MTU settings that maximize efficiency without packet drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the administrator sets the MTU to the minimum size required by all paths to prevent packet drops, then packet delivery reliability is improved, but data transfer efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing each endpoint to have different MTU settings based on its specific path requirements. Instead of forcing a uniform minimum MTU across the entire SDN, the system determines and configures MTU values locally at each endpoint according to the actual path characteristics and overhead requirements, thereby maximizing efficiency while preventing packet drops.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making MTU configuration adaptive and path-specific rather than static and uniform. The system dynamically determines the appropriate MTU value for each endpoint based on real path analysis, allowing the network to adapt to varying overhead requirements of different tunneling protocols and path characteristics.
2Productivity
If the MTU is increased to improve data transfer efficiency, then productivity is improved, but the risk of packet drops increases due to varying overhead requirements across different paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows each endpoint to have customized MTU settings tailored to its specific path characteristics and protocol overhead requirements, rather than applying a uniform MTU across the entire network. This local optimization enables higher efficiency on paths that can support larger MTUs while maintaining reliability on paths with stricter constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically determines appropriate MTU values for each endpoint based on actual path analysis and protocol requirements, making the MTU configuration adaptive rather than static. This allows the network to optimize for efficiency where possible while automatically adjusting to prevent packet drops where needed.
3Ease of operation
If a uniform minimum MTU is configured across all endpoints to simplify network management, then ease of operation is improved, but overall network efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling endpoints to automatically determine and configure their own optimal MTU values based on path analysis and protocol requirements. The management plane orchestrates this process and provides the determined MTU values to endpoints, eliminating the need for administrators to manually configure uniform MTU settings while still simplifying management through automated orchestration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static uniform MTU configuration to dynamic path-specific MTU determination. The management plane automatically analyzes paths and configures appropriate MTU values at each endpoint, making the network adaptable to varying requirements while maintaining simplified management through automation.
Data Source
AI summary
The technology disclosed herein enables the automatic discovery of MTU size across a software defined network (SDN). In a particular embodiment, a method provides, in a management plane of the SDN, receiving a first MTU request from a first endpoint of the SDN that indicates a second endpoint of the SDN to which the first endpoint will transfer first data. The method further provides tracing a first path through the SDN for the first data between the first endpoint and the second endpoint, determining the smallest MTU along the first path, and setting a first MTU to a value less than or equal to the smallest MTU along the first path. The method also includes providing the first MTU to the first endpoint.