SDN Switch Charging via Segmented Control and Data Planes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current SDN protocols lack mechanisms for charging in mobile cellular networks, particularly for online and offline charging, and are incompatible with wireless networks due to the consolidation of control and data plane functionalities in a single entity, violating SDN principles.
Innovation Solution
Implementing data plane charging functionality in each SDN switch and control plane charging functionality in a centralized application, using flow tables to monitor and report user traffic for charging purposes, while maintaining the SDN architecture's central controller for control plane operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If control plane and data plane functionalities are consolidated in a single entity for charging, then charging functionality can be implemented, but SDN principles are violated and wireless network compatibility is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The charging functionality is segmented into two separate components: a data plane charging element implemented in the SDN switch that handles packet inspection and charging data collection, and a control plane charging element implemented in the centralized SDN controller that handles charging logic and decision-making. This segmentation maintains SDN architecture principles by keeping control and data planes separate while enabling comprehensive charging functionality.
2Reliability
If specialized wireless SDN switches are developed to implement charging, then charging in wireless networks is enabled, but device complexity increases and SDN goals are contradicted
Solution Approach 1:
The complex charging control logic is extracted from the SDN switch and placed in the centralized SDN controller. The switch only retains simple data plane functions for packet forwarding and basic charging data collection, while the controller handles all charging decision-making, policy management, and interaction with charging systems. This extraction reduces switch complexity and maintains the use of generic, programmable switches.
3Reliability
If conventional charging trigger functions are implemented in SDN switches, then charging can be performed, but control and data plane separation is violated
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional charging trigger function is segmented into data plane components (packet inspection, charging data record generation) remaining in the switch and control plane components (charging logic, policy enforcement, billing interaction) moved to the centralized controller. This maintains the control-data plane separation fundamental to SDN architecture.
Data Source
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AI summary
A controller includes control plane charging system to configure data plane charging system in a plurality of switches to gather charging information for user flows and provide the charging information to the controller. The data plane charging system in a selected switch of the plurality of switches can be configured to gather charging information for a user flow and autonomously provide the charging information to the controller.