Centralized SD-WAN Policy for Edge Device Resource Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Software-Defined Wide Area Networks (SDWANs), low-end edge devices face challenges in handling locally-configured Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) probes and provisioning a high number of tunnels in full-mesh deployments, leading to high bandwidth consumption and resource overburden.
Innovation Solution
A centralized control policy is implemented to override locally-configured BFD timer settings with centrally-configured parameters and set a maximum number of tunnels, allowing for dynamic and intelligent resource allocation based on node and tunnel characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If low-end edge devices run locally-configured BFD probes and provision high number of tunnels in full-mesh deployments, then network coverage and connectivity are improved, but CPU utilization and memory consumption increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
A centralized controller is introduced as an intermediary to manage BFD probe configurations and tunnel provisioning for low-end edge devices. The controller receives BFD configuration requests, determines appropriate parameters based on network state, and configures the probes centrally, relieving the edge devices from complex local configuration tasks while maintaining full-mesh connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts BFD probe parameters (such as detection intervals, timeout values, and probe frequencies) based on network conditions and device capabilities. By changing these parameters centrally, the system optimizes resource consumption on low-end devices while maintaining adequate network monitoring coverage across the full-mesh deployment.
2Reliability
If low-end edge devices run locally-configured BFD probes, then real-time path monitoring is achieved, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized controller dynamically adjusts BFD probe parameters including detection intervals, timeout values, and probe frequencies based on real-time network conditions and device capabilities. This optimization reduces unnecessary probe traffic and bandwidth consumption while maintaining adequate path monitoring reliability across the network.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of running full BFD probe configurations on all low-end edge devices, the system implements partial monitoring where the centralized controller performs the heavy monitoring function and edge devices participate in a reduced capacity. This selective approach maintains overall network reliability while significantly reducing total bandwidth consumption from probe traffic.
3Productivity
If centralized control policy is implemented to override local BFD timer settings, then resource allocation is optimized, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized controller is designed to perform multiple functions including BFD configuration management, tunnel provisioning, resource allocation optimization, and network state monitoring. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional system, the overall control complexity is managed more efficiently than distributing these functions across multiple specialized components.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for transport resource allocation using a centralized control policy, the methods including the steps of receiving node characteristics associated with a plurality of nodes; receiving a centralized policy configuration associated with at least one control policy to be applied based on a set of match conditions; identifying a one or more nodes from the plurality of nodes that satisfy, or that are associated with one or more tunnels that satisfy, the set of match conditions; and applying the at least one control policy to the one or more nodes that satisfy, or to the one or more tunnels that satisfy, the set of match conditions, wherein the at least one control policy is configured to override at least one locally-configured bidirectional forwarding detection (BFD) timer; and/or set a maximum number of tunnels for provisioning at the identified one or more nodes.