SDN Packet Handling Rules for Control Data Plane Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current software-defined networking (SDN) systems face inefficiencies in packet exchange between the control and data planes due to data-intensive communication, leading to bandwidth wastage and increased latency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where network elements install packet handling rules to forward only a subset of data for specific packet types to the network controller, using byte sequence ranges and unique identifiers, thereby reducing unnecessary data transfer and optimizing packet exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network elements forward complete packets to the network controller for analysis, then packet analysis capability is maintained, but bandwidth consumption increases and data transfer becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary packet fields (such as source IP, destination IP, source port, destination port) from complete packets and sends only these extracted fields to the network controller. This allows the controller to perform packet analysis without transferring the entire packet, thereby reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining analysis capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the packet data into essential fields and non-essential fields. By separating the critical packet information needed for analysis from the remaining data, the system can transmit only the segmented essential portions to the controller, reducing the overall data transfer volume while preserving analytical functionality.
2Measurement precision
If network elements forward complete packets to the network controller, then packet content analysis is thorough, but data transfer volume increases causing latency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary packet fields (such as source IP, destination IP, source port, destination port) from complete packets and sends only these extracted fields to the network controller. This allows the controller to perform packet analysis without transferring the entire packet, thereby reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining analysis capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by transferring only the minimum necessary packet fields required for analysis rather than complete packets. This partial data transfer suffices for the controller to perform thorough analysis of packet content, eliminating the need to transfer excessive data and thereby reducing transfer time and latency.
3Loss of energy
If packet handling rules are implemented to forward only subset data, then bandwidth efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring packet handling rules at network elements that specify which packet fields should be extracted and forwarded to the controller. These rules are established in advance based on the types of packets expected, allowing the system to automatically process packets efficiently without requiring complex real-time decision-making, thus managing complexity while achieving bandwidth efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method in a network controller of a control plane in a software defined network (SDN) coupled to a plurality of network elements (NEs) of a data plane in the SDN is described. The method includes causing the plurality of NEs to install one or more packet handling rules for a selected type of packet so that the NEs forward only a subset of data for each packet of the selected type to the network controller. The method further includes receiving the subset of data for each packet of the selected type and composing a whole packet of the selected type that includes the subset of data.