SD-WAN Controller Routing Decisions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing SD-WAN solutions face challenges with scaling and deployment complexity due to the need for extensive configurations and overheads in running dynamic routing protocols like OSPF, especially when establishing GRE tunnels on top of IPsec tunnels, which complicates network management and operation.
Innovation Solution
A network device in an SD-WAN determines overlay network topology and routing decisions based on routing information from respective routing agents, eliminating the need for chatty dynamic routing protocols and simplifying the setup of forwarding paths without elaborate configuration by using a controller to distribute routing decisions to corresponding nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If dynamic routing protocols like OSPF are used to establish routing paths in SD-WAN, then routing decisions can be made autonomously, but the configuration complexity and overhead increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized controller as an intermediary between network nodes. The controller receives routing information from all nodes, computes the overlay network topology, determines routing decisions, and distributes them back to nodes. This mediator approach centralizes the complex routing computation logic, eliminating the need for each node to run complex dynamic routing protocols autonomously, thus reducing configuration complexity while maintaining automated routing decisions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If GRE tunnels are established on top of IPsec tunnels for SD-WAN connectivity, then network flexibility and encryption are improved, but deployment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the centralized controller pre-compute routing decisions and pre-establish the overlay network topology before actual data transmission begins. The controller collects routing information from all nodes, builds the topology map, determines optimal paths, and distributes routing decisions in advance. This preliminary computation phase separates the complex tunnel establishment logic from real-time operations, simplifying deployment while maintaining network flexibility through encrypted IPsec tunnels and GRE overlay.
3Reliability
If extensive configurations are performed for SD-WAN setup, then routing control and security are enhanced, but management overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex routing control logic and security management functions from individual network nodes and consolidates them into a centralized controller. The controller handles topology computation, routing decision-making, and security policy enforcement, while network nodes are simplified to primarily forward traffic based on received routing decisions. This extraction reduces management overhead at individual nodes while maintaining enhanced routing control and security through centralized management.
Data Source
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AI summary
Some examples relate to determining routing decisions on a network device in a SD-WAN. In an example, a network device in a SD-WAN comprising a plurality of network nodes may receive respective routing information from a respective routing agent present on each node of the plurality of network nodes. The network device may determine an overlay network topology among the plurality of network nodes. Based on the overlay network topology and the respective routing information received from the respective routing agent, the network device may determine a respective routing decision for each node. The network device may distribute the respective routing decision to corresponding network node in the SD-WAN.