SD-WAN Gateway Selection via Geographic Suitability Scoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The initial configuration of software-defined wide area networks (SD-WANs) can be labor-intensive due to the manual assignment of branch gateways to headend gateways, which may not always result in the fastest and most stable connection, as it relies on network administrators' decisions rather than dynamic network conditions and geographic proximity.
Innovation Solution
A network orchestrator automatically selects the most suitable headend gateway for branch gateways based on geographic location, link health, and other weighted parameters, using identifying information and location determination services to calculate suitability scores and periodically reassess connections for optimal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual assignment of branch gateways to headend gateways is used, then configuration simplicity is maintained, but connection performance (speed and stability) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The branch gateway performs self-configuration by automatically discovering available headend gateways and selecting the optimal one based on pre-defined criteria (geographic proximity, link health, bandwidth requirements) without requiring manual administrator intervention for each gateway assignment
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts gateway selection parameters such as geographic distance, link health status, and bandwidth availability to automatically determine the optimal headend gateway assignment, replacing static manual configuration with dynamic parameter-based decision-making
2Reliability
If automated gateway selection based on geographic location and link health is implemented, then connection performance improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network orchestrator performs multiple functions including gateway discovery, geographic location determination, link health monitoring, bandwidth requirement assessment, and automated selection all through a single integrated system, avoiding the need for separate complex subsystems
Solution Approach 2:
The network orchestrator acts as an intermediary between branch gateways and headend gateways, centralizing the complex selection logic and location determination services so that individual gateways do not need to implement complex selection algorithms themselves
3Ease of manufacture
If manual gateway assignment is used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to changing network conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway selection system transitions from static manual assignment to dynamic automated selection that continuously monitors network conditions including link health, geographic proximity, and bandwidth availability, automatically adapting gateway assignments to changing network states
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where branch gateways report their bandwidth requirements and link health status to the network orchestrator, which uses this information to make informed automated gateway selection decisions and periodically reassess connections for optimal performance
Data Source
AI summary
An example network orchestrator includes processing circuitry and memory. Instructions of the memory, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the network orchestrator to receive an indication that a branch gateway has joined a SD-WAN. The instructions further cause the network orchestrator to determine, based on parameters of the branch gateway, a geographic location of the branch gateway. The instructions further cause the network orchestrator to select a set of headend gateways located in a region including the geographic location of the branch gateway. The instructions further cause the network orchestrator to calculate a suitability score for each headend gateway based on the geographic location of the branch gateway in comparison to a geographic location of the each headend gateway. The instructions further cause the network orchestrator to assign the branch gateway to a headend gateway of the set of headend gateways with an optimal suitability score.