Topology-Aware SDN Provisioning for Inventory Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network provisioning methods in SDN environments face challenges due to inaccurate and separate inventory systems for access and core networks, leading to provisioning errors and inconsistencies, especially with re-homing of network elements and the limitations of protocols like RADIUS, which are not suitable for complex policies and can result in bottlenecks.
Innovation Solution
A topology-aware provisioning system that aggregates access network and local router information into a standardized machine-parsable format, enabling a central SDN controller to manage network services by decoupling the control plane from the data plane, allowing for accurate and timely provisioning of services across disparate networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If separate inventory systems are used for access and core networks, then device complexity is reduced, but provisioning accuracy deteriorates leading to errors and inconsistencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate access network inventory and core network inventory into a unified topology-aware inventory system. The controller consolidates topology information from multiple sources (access switches, core routers, service gateways) into a single coherent view, eliminating inconsistencies between separate inventory systems while maintaining manageable system complexity through centralized abstraction.
2Ease of operation
If RADIUS protocol is used for provisioning, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to handle complex policies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a topology-aware controller as an intermediary between traditional provisioning protocols (like RADIUS) and the network infrastructure. This controller maintains a comprehensive topology database and translates simple provisioning requests into complex multi-step operations that span access and core networks, thereby preserving ease of operation while enabling support for complex policies through the intermediary's intelligence.
3Productivity
If centralized control is implemented, then provisioning efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to central controller requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the central controller's functionality into distinct modular components: topology discovery module, topology database, provisioning logic module, and communication interfaces. This segmentation allows the centralized control to achieve high provisioning efficiency through coordinated action while managing complexity through modular design, where each component has a specific responsibility and can be independently developed and maintained.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple inventory sources are maintained, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccurate and inconsistent inventory data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the centralized topology-aware controller continuously monitors and validates inventory information from multiple sources (access switches, core routers, service gateways). The controller cross-references topology data, detects inconsistencies, and maintains an authoritative unified inventory, thereby preserving adaptability from multiple sources while ensuring measurement precision through continuous validation and reconciliation feedback loops.
Data Source
AI summary
An example method for topology aware provisioning in a software-defined network environment is provided and includes receiving, at a provider edge device (PE), access network topology information associated with a customer edge device in a network environment, synthesizing the access network topology information and a local router information associated with the PE into a topology message, and publishing the topology message to a central controller in the network environment. The synthesizing can include aggregating the access network topology information and the local router information, modeling the aggregated information in a representation-independent format and encoding the representation-independent formatted aggregated information in standardized machine-parsable format.