SDN Switch Resource Sharing Feedback for Controller Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Software Defined Networking (SDN) networks, the decoupling of the data plane from the control plane prevents the controller from efficiently managing data storage resource utilization among tables sharing the same hardware resources, leading to inadequate allocation and potential resource insufficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method where a switch provides data storage resource sharing information to the controller, allowing it to manage resource allocation by indicating which tables share a data storage resource and transmitting instructions to insert or delete entries from these tables as needed to optimize storage space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tables share the same data storage resource in SDN switches, then resource utilization efficiency and flexibility are improved, but the controller's ability to manage and allocate storage resources deterministically deteriorates due to decoupling of control and data planes
Solution Approach 1:
The switch monitors the usage status of shared data storage resources (TCAM, hash memory, counter memory) and feeds back this information to the controller. This feedback mechanism enables the controller to make informed decisions about resource allocation and table management, resolving the contradiction by providing the controller with visibility into shared resource states without requiring tight coupling of the control and data planes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the management of shared storage resources by introducing a resource sharing information structure that identifies which tables share which storage resources. This segmentation allows the controller to manage resources at a granular level, allocating space to specific tables based on actual sharing relationships, thereby improving both resource utilization and controllability.
2Ease of manufacture
If the controller allocates storage space to tables without knowing sharing relationships, then resource allocation simplicity is maintained, but resource insufficiency occurs due to overlapping allocations of the same physical storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The switch performs preliminary action by determining and reporting the sharing relationships of data storage resources before the controller performs allocation. This advance information allows the controller to allocate storage space to multiple tables without overallocation, preventing resource insufficiency while maintaining relatively simple allocation logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (resource sharing information feedback from switch to controller) that bridges the gap between the controller's allocation decisions and the actual shared storage resources. This intermediary provides the necessary information about sharing relationships, enabling the controller to make reliable allocation decisions without directly managing the complexity of shared resources.
3Ease of operation
If dedicated data storage resources are allocated to each table, then resource management control is improved, but resource utilization efficiency and programming flexibility deteriorate due to inability to share storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the controller can adjust the storage space allocated to each table based on actual usage patterns and requirements. The system transitions from static dedicated allocation to dynamic shared allocation, allowing tables to utilize storage resources flexibly while the controller maintains management control through monitoring and reallocation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes data storage resources universal by enabling multiple tables to share the same physical storage space (TCAM, hash memory, counter memory). This multi-functionality allows a single storage resource to serve multiple tables simultaneously, improving utilization efficiency while the controller maintains universal management control over all tables sharing the resource through centralized decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is implemented by a network device acting as a switch in a data plane of a software defined networking (SDN) network. The switch is communicatively coupled to a controller in a control plane of the SDN network, where the controller manages packet processing functionality of the switch. The method to provide data storage resource sharing information to the controller so that the controller can manage data storage resource utilization of the switch. The method includes determining which tables stored in the switch share a data storage resource of the switch and transmitting data storage resource sharing information to the controller, where the data storage resource sharing information includes an indication of the tables that share the data storage resource.