Service Engineered Path Feedback Loop for Dynamic Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Software-defined networking (SDN) technologies, such as OpenFlow, struggle to dynamically adapt service engineered paths (SEPs) to changes in service applications, leading to inefficiencies like wasted bandwidth and resource overload due to the lack of real-time feedback mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
Establishing a feedback loop using routing protocols like IS-IS, OSPF, and BGP to communicate service-level information from service nodes to intermediate network devices along SEPs, enabling them to adapt path configurations based on service-specific information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If service engineered paths are configured to meet network requirements, then network performance is improved, but the paths cannot dynamically adapt to changes in service applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where service nodes send service-level information back to intermediate network devices along the SEP. This feedback loop enables the network devices to dynamically adapt path configurations based on real-time service application changes, resolving the contradiction between maintaining stable network performance and enabling dynamic adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms static SEPs into dynamic paths by enabling intermediate network devices to reconfigure paths based on received service-level information. This allows the network to adapt to changing service requirements while maintaining performance through controlled dynamic adjustments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If real-time feedback mechanisms are implemented, then dynamic adaptation is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes existing routing protocols (OSPF, IS-IS, BGP) that network devices already support for their primary routing functions. By extending these protocols to carry service-level information, the system achieves dynamic adaptation without adding dedicated feedback infrastructure, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses existing routing protocols as intermediaries to transmit service-level information between service nodes and network devices. This approach leverages established communication mechanisms rather than creating new complex feedback channels, reducing the overall system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
In general, techniques are described for providing feedback loops for service engineered paths. A service node comprising an interface and a control unit may implement the techniques. The interface receives traffic via a path configured within a network to direct the traffic from an ingress network device of the path to the service node. The control unit applies one or more services to the traffic received via the path and generates service-specific information related to the application of the one or more services to the traffic. The interface then sends the service-specific information to at least one network device configured to forward the traffic via the path so that the at least one network device configured to forward the traffic via the path is able to adapt the path based on the service-specific information.