Virtualizing Remote Devices via SDN Tunneling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face difficulties in providing access for virtualized machines in data centers to remote physical devices connected over wide area packet-switched networks, due to the need to support multiple protocols and cumbersome management schemes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for virtualizing remote physical devices by monitoring device events at the Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) and creating virtual device ports within a Software Defined Networking (SDN) architecture, allowing for the creation of data tunnels between CPE and data centers via the Internet, with an SDN controller managing packet flow and device management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If virtualized machines in data centers access remote physical devices over wide area networks, then device accessibility is improved, but protocol complexity and management difficulty increase due to multiple protocols and cumbersome management schemes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an SDN controller as an intermediary between virtualized machines and remote physical devices. The controller establishes tunnels through overlay networks, enabling communication without requiring virtualized machines to directly handle multiple protocols. The SDN controller centralizes protocol management and tunnel configuration, resolving the contradiction by maintaining device accessibility while eliminating protocol complexity at the edge devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network into underlay and overlay layers. The underlay handles physical network infrastructure while the overlay provides virtualized communication paths. This segmentation allows virtualized machines to access remote devices through simplified tunnel protocols in the overlay layer, without exposing them to the complexity of multiple underlying protocols and management schemes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional network architectures support multiple protocols for remote device access, then device compatibility is improved, but system complexity and management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The SDN controller serves as a universal management platform that handles multiple protocols and device types through a single interface. It provides multi-functional capabilities including tunnel establishment, protocol translation, and device management, thereby maintaining device compatibility while significantly reducing management overhead compared to traditional multi-protocol approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The SDN controller acts as an intermediary that abstracts away protocol differences and management complexities. It establishes standardized tunnels between virtualized machines and remote devices, enabling universal compatibility without requiring each device to support multiple protocols directly, thus reducing management overhead while maintaining versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If virtual switches create virtual device ports for each connected physical device, then device virtualization capability is improved, but processing overhead and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The SDN controller serves as an intermediary that manages virtual device port creation and tunnel establishment centrally. When a physical device connects to the CPE, the virtual switch creates a virtual device port and notifies the SDN controller, which then handles tunnel configuration. This approach maintains high device virtualization capability while reducing system complexity by centralizing management functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the virtual switch notifies the SDN controller when new virtual device ports are created. The SDN controller responds by establishing appropriate tunnels and configuring network paths. This feedback loop enables automated device virtualization management, maintaining versatility while reducing complexity through centralized orchestration and event-driven architecture.
Data Source
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AI summary
A scheme for virtualizing a remote physical device, e.g., customer premises equipment (CPE), at a cloud-based data center connected to a network. In one embodiment, a virtual switch operating at the CPE is operative to monitor device events at the CPE. When a device is connected to a CPE port, a virtual device port is created that is operative with a Software Defined Network (SDN) architecture. Responsive to an indication that a new SDN-compliant virtual device port is created, an SDN controller is operative to facilitate creation of a data tunnel between the CPE's virtual switch and a virtual switch of the data center.