SOAM Virtualization via Network Controller
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
SOAM functions in networks are difficult to manage and scale, particularly in Software-Defined Networks, due to computational intensity and limited hardware resources in devices like Small-Form Pluggable (SFP) devices, making it challenging to implement efficient network service testing and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A SOAM virtualization system is implemented using a network controller that virtualizes SOAM network functions on maintenance entities through tunnels, allowing for centralized processing on high-capability servers, and enabling remote devices to manage data plane operations for line rate frames without extensive processing, while the network controller handles complex analysis and statistics computation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If SOAM functions are implemented on network devices with limited hardware resources, then network service testing can be performed, but computational intensity makes scaling difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the computationally intensive SOAM processing functions from network devices and relocates them to a centralized network controller. The network devices only perform simple packet forwarding, while the controller handles complex analysis, statistics computation, and protocol processing. This extraction resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for high computational capability in distributed network devices while maintaining SOAM functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network controller as an intermediary between network devices and the SOAM processing logic. This intermediary centralizes complex computations while allowing network devices to operate simply. The controller mediates between the need for distributed testing capability and the limitation of device hardware resources, enabling scaling without increasing device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If centralized processing is used for SOAM functions, then scalability is improved, but network latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments SOAM processing into two distinct parts: simple packet forwarding performed locally at network devices and complex analysis performed centrally at the controller. This segmentation allows each component to operate at its optimal performance level - devices forward packets quickly without complex processing, while the controller handles analysis with sufficient computational resources. The segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating speed-critical operations from scalability-critical operations.
3Ease of operation
If complex analysis is performed at network devices, then local processing capability is maintained, but management difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges all complex SOAM analysis, statistics computation, and protocol processing into a single centralized network controller. This consolidation simplifies management by providing a single point of control and visibility, eliminating the need to manage complex processing logic across multiple distributed devices. The merging resolves the contradiction by centralizing complexity in a manageable location while keeping network devices simple and easy to operate.
Data Source
AI summary
A SOAM virtualization system for a network having at least first and second maintenance entities coupled to each other comprises a network controller coupled to at least one of the first and second maintenance entities through a tunnel for virtualizing a SOAM network function on the at least one of the first and second maintenance entities to which the network controller is coupled. The network controller may be coupled to the first and second maintenance entities through first and second tunnels, respectively. The first maintenance entity may an originator device, and the second maintenance entity may be a destination device, with the network controller virtualizing the SOAM network function on both devices. The network controller may send a packet containing a tunnel header and a SOAM frame via the first tunnel to the originator device, which then sends the packet containing the SOAM frame to the destination device.