SDN Zoning Controller for Traffic Engineering Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Future wireless networks face challenges in managing increasing data volumes, device connections, and diverse application requirements, with existing technologies lacking dynamic zoning capabilities to optimize traffic engineering and reduce overhead costs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a software-defined network (SDN) with a zoning controller that dynamically divides wireless networks into geographic or logical zones, allowing for distributed optimization of traffic engineering through zone controllers, which can be further coordinated by a master zone controller to balance processing loads and minimize overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the network is divided into zones with multiple controllers, then traffic engineering optimization and processing load distribution are improved, but system complexity and coordination overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the SDN controller into multiple zone controllers, each responsible for a specific geographic or logical zone. This segmentation allows distributed traffic engineering optimization where each zone controller independently optimizes its zone while reducing the processing load on any single controller. The segmentation resolves the contradiction by improving productivity through parallel processing while managing complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a master zone controller that acts as an intermediary to coordinate communication between multiple zone controllers. This mediator manages the interactions and information exchange between zones, enabling optimized traffic engineering across the entire network while abstracting the coordination complexity from individual zone controllers. The intermediary resolves the contradiction by improving overall system optimization while containing complexity through hierarchical management.
2Loss of energy
If the network is divided into zones with multiple controllers, then processing load is distributed and overhead is minimized, but system complexity and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the network into zones with dedicated zone controllers, the patent distributes processing loads and reduces communication overhead. Each zone controller handles only its local zone's traffic engineering decisions, minimizing the amount of data that needs to be processed and communicated across the entire system. This segmentation reduces overhead costs while managing coordination complexity through clear boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by allowing each zone controller to make autonomous traffic engineering decisions based on local conditions within its zone. This local autonomy reduces the need for centralized coordination and minimizes communication overhead, as decisions are made where the data resides. The local quality approach resolves the contradiction by reducing overhead while containing coordination complexity to local levels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic zoning is implemented to optimize traffic engineering, then network performance and flexibility are improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic zoning where zone boundaries and assignments can change based on network conditions, traffic patterns, and user migrations. This dynamic approach allows the network to adapt to changing requirements while maintaining manageable complexity through automated zone management. The zone controllers can dynamically adjust their zones without requiring complete reconfiguration, resolving the contradiction by improving flexibility while controlling complexity through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a framework with master and zone controllers that pre-defines the coordination mechanisms and communication protocols needed for dynamic zoning. By setting up this hierarchical structure in advance, the system can dynamically respond to changing conditions without ad-hoc coordination complexity. The preliminary action of establishing the control framework enables future flexibility while containing complexity through predefined structures.
Data Source
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AI summary
An embodiment method of network zoning for a software defined network (SDN) includes determining a number, K, of zones according to at least one zone quantity parameter. Given K, a plurality of network nodes of the SDN are partitioned into K zones. The K zones are respectively assigned K SDN controllers. The K SDN controllers are configured to make traffic engineering decisions and carry out distributed network optimization for respective assigned network nodes among the plurality of network nodes.