SD-WAN Controller Prefix Tree Routing Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Extending networks over large distances in WANs often faces challenges such as network congestion, jitter, and packet loss, which existing technologies struggle to address effectively, particularly in managing and optimizing IP traffic across multiple carriers' networks.
Innovation Solution
A customized central route calculation solution for an SDN overlay network managed by a SD-WAN controller, which aggregates route calculations, performs prefix-based priority calculations, and dynamically updates forwarding tables based on network changes, using a Prefix tree to determine routing decisions and distribute them across network nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing routing technologies are used in WANs, then network connectivity is maintained, but network congestion, jitter, and packet loss occur due to inability to effectively manage and optimize IP traffic across multiple carriers' networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized SD-WAN controller as an intermediary between network nodes and carriers' networks. This controller aggregates routing information from multiple sources, performs centralized route calculations using prefix-based priority calculations, and distributes optimized routing decisions to network nodes. This intermediary structure enables effective IP traffic management across multiple carriers' networks while maintaining network connectivity, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
2Productivity
If centralized route calculation is implemented, then routing optimization and cost-efficiency are improved, but computational complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the routing calculation process into modular components: receiving routing information from multiple sources, generating a Prefix tree data structure, performing prefix-based priority calculations for each prefix, and distributing results to network nodes. This segmentation of the centralized calculation process reduces controller complexity by organizing computations into manageable, reusable modules while maintaining routing optimization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-building a Prefix tree data structure from aggregated routing information before actual route calculations are needed. This Prefix tree organizes routing prefixes and their associated priority information in advance, enabling efficient lookups and calculations during runtime. This preliminary organization reduces real-time computational complexity while maintaining high routing optimization efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic forwarding table updates are performed, then network adaptability and response to changes are improved, but network overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where network nodes continuously report link state changes and routing information updates to the centralized SD-WAN controller. The controller processes these feedback signals, performs prefix-based priority calculations, and dynamically updates forwarding tables accordingly. This feedback loop enables rapid adaptation to network changes while optimizing update timing and batch processing to minimize processing time overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Some examples relate to determining routing decisions in a SD-WAN overlay. In an example, a controller in a SD-WAN overlay comprising a plurality of network nodes may receive respective routing and link information from a respective routing agent present on each network node of the plurality of network nodes. The controller may generate a Prefix tree based on the respective routing and link information received from the respective routing agent. The prefix tree may store prefixes along with respective prefix information. The controller may determine, for each prefix in the Prefix tree, a respective routing decision for each network node in the plurality of network nodes. The controller may distribute the respective routing decision to each network node in the plurality of network nodes in the SD-WAN overlay.