SDN Switch Routing for Unified SAN and LAN Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current storage area network (SAN) management technologies lack a unified, orchestrated controlling function for the combined mesh of network and storage connectivity, requiring separate tools and skills for LAN and SAN management, and are complex and proprietary, limiting interoperability and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
Extending software-defined networking (SDN) to manage SAN switches by configuring SDN switches with SDN match tables that include experimenter fields for routing information, allowing for unified management of SAN and LAN traffic using a single control interface, thereby integrating SAN and LAN management under a common infrastructure plane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate tools and skills are used for LAN and SAN management, then specialized control functions are maintained, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines LAN and SAN management into a unified SDN controller that handles both network types through a single control interface. The controller integrates routing functions for both Ethernet (LAN) and Fibre Channel (SAN) traffic, eliminating the need for separate management tools and reducing operational complexity while maintaining specialized control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The SDN controller is designed with universal functionality to manage both LAN and SAN environments. It implements a single control plane that can process routing information for multiple network types simultaneously, allowing one system to perform multiple management functions that previously required separate specialized tools.
2Reliability
If proprietary SAN management technologies are used, then specialized control is achieved, but adaptability and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The SDN controller implements a universal control plane that can manage diverse network infrastructures including both LAN and SAN through standardized interfaces. This enables the system to adapt to different network types and vendor equipment without requiring proprietary management tools for each, thereby improving interoperability while maintaining reliable control functions.
3Ease of operation
If unified SDN control is implemented, then ease of operation and adaptability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control architecture into distinct functional modules within the SDN controller, including separate routing information base (RIB) components for LAN and SAN, and modular routing protocol handlers. This segmentation allows the unified controller to manage complexity internally through organized modules while presenting a simplified unified interface to operators.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention are directed to utilizing an extension to software defined networking (SDN) to manage storage area networks (SANs) by receiving, at a switch configured with and managed by a SDN architecture, at least one table. The at least one table being operable in the SDN architecture and including routing information. The switch routes traffic over a SAN using the routing information in the at least one table.