Service Router Control Plane Segmentation for BRAS Service Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current broadband remote access servers (BRAS) and broadband network gateways (BNG) require frequent software and hardware upgrades to support expanding value-added services, leading to service interruptions and negative impacts on user experience due to the need for device power-offs.
Innovation Solution
A service processing method and system that uses a controller to acquire and encode business service information, including a service flow identifier and service label, which is then sent to a service router for processing, allowing for service expansion without modifying the original device by recombining or adding service atoms, enabling continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If service expansion is performed by upgrading BRAS or BNG devices, then service capability is improved, but device reliability deteriorates due to required power-off operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments service processing into two independent parts: control plane functions (service management, upgrading) separated from data plane functions (user data forwarding). This allows service expansion to occur in the control plane without affecting data plane operations, enabling service capability improvement while maintaining service continuity. The BRAS/BNG device structure is divided into control module and forwarding module that can operate independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a service gateway as an intermediary component between the control plane and data plane. The service gateway handles service expansion, upgrading, and management operations without requiring power-off of the main BRAS/BNG device. This intermediary enables service capability enhancement while the original device continues to provide uninterrupted user services.
2Adaptability or versatility
If device power-off is performed for service expansion, then service capability is improved, but user experience deteriorates due to service interruption
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the device into control plane and data plane components, the patent enables service expansion operations to be performed independently in the control plane without interrupting user services in the data plane. This segmentation ensures that user experience is not affected during service capability expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs service expansion preparations in advance in the control plane, including service gateway configuration, service policy setup, and resource allocation, before these changes need to take effect. This preliminary action in the control plane allows seamless service expansion without requiring device power-off or user service interruption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequent software and hardware upgrades are performed, then service capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments upgrade operations into control plane upgrades (service gateways, service policies) and data plane upgrades (forwarding engines). This allows independent upgrading of service capabilities without requiring comprehensive device upgrades, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining frequent service capability improvements.
Solution Approach 2:
The service gateway is designed as a universal component that can handle multiple types of value-added services (OTT video, DPI, firewall, antivirus, etc.) through a unified architecture. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized hardware or software upgrades for each service type, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high service capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of communications technologies and provide a service processing method, device, and system, where service expansion can be performed without changing an original device of an operator. The embodiments of the present invention include: acquiring business service information corresponding to a to-be-processed service flow, where the business service information includes a service flow identifier of the to-be-processed service flow and a service label corresponding to the service flow identifier; and sending the business service information corresponding to the to-be-processed service flow to a service router, so that the service router processes, according to the business service information, the to-be-processed service flow.