SDN Switch Legacy Protocol Handling Reduces Control Channel Load

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Solution Overview

Problem

Software defined networks (SDNs) face limitations in control channel capacity and CPU utilization, and have difficulties in interoperating with non-SDN networks due to the need for encapsulating and processing legacy control protocols, which increases bandwidth and CPU resource usage.

Innovation Solution

The method involves exchanging part of the control plane data traffic through the data communication plane, allowing direct communication between data forwarding elements and features, thereby reducing the load on the control channel and enabling easier integration of legacy protocols, with the controller and features potentially collocated or distributed for redundancy and scalability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If control packets for legacy protocols are sent through the dedicated control channel via the controller, then interoperability with non-SDN networks is achieved, but the control channel bandwidth and CPU utilization increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteroperability with non-SDN networksVSAvoidcontrol channel bandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts legacy control protocol processing from the central controller and implements it directly in the SDN switch. This allows legacy control packets to be handled locally without consuming control channel bandwidth for round-trip communication with the controller, thus maintaining interoperability while reducing control channel load

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The SDN switch is equipped with legacy protocol processing capabilities, enabling it to handle legacy control packets autonomously without requiring controller intervention. This self-service approach eliminates the need for control channel communication for legacy protocol handling, reducing bandwidth consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If control packets for legacy protocols are encapsulated and processed by the controller, then legacy protocol support is enabled, but CPU utilization of the controller and routers increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelegacy protocol supportVSAvoidCPU utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control plane functions by separating legacy protocol processing from the central controller and placing it directly in the SDN switch. This segmentation distributes the computational load, reducing CPU utilization at the controller while maintaining legacy protocol support through localized processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The SDN switch acts as an intermediary that directly processes legacy control packets using embedded legacy protocol processing capabilities. This eliminates the need for the controller to handle these packets, reducing controller CPU utilization while still providing legacy protocol support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If all control plane data traffic is exchanged through the controller via the control channel, then centralized control is maintained, but the control channel becomes a bottleneck

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentralized controlVSAvoidcontrol channel throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces local quality by enabling SDN switches to process certain control plane traffic locally using embedded legacy protocol processing capabilities. This allows the system to maintain centralized control for SDN-specific operations while handling legacy protocol traffic locally, thereby avoiding control channel bottlenecks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2974133B1Method and system for controlling an underlying physical network by a software defined network

Publication Date: 2019.10.23 NEC CORP

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for controlling an underlying physical network by a software defined network, wherein the physical network comprises data forwarding elements, preferably routers, for routing data traffic on the data communication plane and wherein the software defined network comprises at least one controller and at least one feature on a control plane for controlling the data forwarding elements of the physical network, and wherein the data forwarding elements of the data communication plane communicate with the controller of the control plane on a dedicated control channel and wherein the controller communicates with the feature on a dedicated feature channel in the control plane, whereby at least part of the control traffic in the control channel is exchanged via the data communication plane.