SDN Sub-domain Management for Multicast Across Legacy Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current multimedia multicast streaming services are limited to within the same Software Defined Network (SDN) domain and legacy network domain, preventing seamless communication across multiple SDN and legacy network domains, which restricts the service range and convenience of multicast streaming.
Innovation Solution
A communication method and system that enables communication between SDN domains and legacy network domains by using sub-domain and domain management units to determine the location of a multicast source, converting connection requests between SDN and legacy protocols, and establishing communication paths across domains using protocols like OpenFlow and PIM, allowing clients to receive multicast streams from any connected domain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multimedia multicast streaming service is applied under SDN architecture, then bandwidth management effectiveness is improved, but service range is limited to same SDN domain
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into multiple SDN domains, each with its own controller, and legacy network domains. The patent implements domain manage units within each SDN domain and sub-domain manage units that can independently manage local resources while collaborating across domains through standardized interfaces, enabling multicast services to span multiple administrative boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces domain manage units and sub-domain manage units as intermediary components that facilitate communication and coordination between different SDN domains and legacy networks. These intermediaries translate and forward control messages, enabling seamless multicast service delivery across heterogeneous network boundaries without requiring end-to-end SDN control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multicast service is restricted to legacy network domain, then protocol compatibility is improved, but service accessibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal multicast service framework that can operate across both legacy networks and SDN domains. The domain manage units implement universal protocols and interfaces that enable a single multicast service to be delivered to clients regardless of whether they are in legacy or SDN network domains, eliminating the need for separate service implementations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes network parameters such as protocol types, routing modes, and control mechanisms based on the client's location and network domain. When a client requests multicast service, the system automatically adjusts the service delivery parameters to match the appropriate network domain characteristics, providing seamless access without client awareness of underlying network differences.
3Adaptability or versatility
If communication path spans multiple SDN and legacy domains, then service range is extended, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a hierarchical dimension to the network architecture by introducing multiple levels of management (sub-domain manage units and domain manage units). This hierarchical structure organizes the complexity vertically rather than horizontally, allowing multicast paths to span multiple domains while maintaining manageable complexity at each hierarchical level through standardized interfaces and protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method is suitable for use in a network architecture including using a software defined network (SDN) protocol and a legacy network protocol, and includes the following steps. A first sub-domain manage unit of a first SDN sub-domain receives a connection request message corresponding to a multicast source from a client. The first sub-domain manage unit transmits a join request message to a main router of a legacy network domain connected to the first SDN sub-domain when determining that the multicast source is not in the first SDN sub-domain. The first sub-domain manage unit transmits the connection request message to a first domain manage unit of a first SDN domain when the main router determines that the multicast source is not in the legacy network domain. A communication path is established between the client and the multicast source when a location of the multicast source is obtained.