SoftRouter Control Network Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional router architectures have become increasingly complex due to the integration of control and forwarding functions, leading to operational complexity, sub-optimal performance, and network instability, as well as the need for costly upgrades when introducing new features.
Innovation Solution
The SoftRouter architecture separates control and data planes, implementing control functions on remote control entities that dynamically bind with forwarding elements, using standard protocols for communication and decoupling hardware and software components to reduce complexity and enhance scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If control and forwarding functions are integrated in traditional router architectures, then routing control can be implemented, but device complexity increases and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traditional integrated router into separate forwarding elements (FEs) and control elements (CEs). The forwarding plane and control plane are physically separated into different network domains, with FEs residing in the data plane network and CEs in the control plane network. This segmentation reduces device complexity by distributing functions across specialized components and improves ease of operation by centralizing control functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control functions are extracted from the forwarding elements and placed in separate control elements. The control plane is taken out from the data plane, creating an independent control network. This extraction reduces the complexity of individual forwarding elements while centralizing control operations, thereby improving operational management.
2Reliability
If control processors are co-located with line cards in traditional routers, then control functions can be provided to co-located line cards, but shared failures occur and line cards cannot be managed when controllers fail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces control elements as intermediary components that mediate between the control plane and forwarding elements. CEs act as intermediaries that can dynamically bind to multiple FEs, providing centralized control management. This intermediary structure improves reliability by separating control from forwarding and enhances failure management flexibility by allowing dynamic rebinding of control functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic binding between control elements and forwarding elements, allowing the control relationships to be reconfigured based on operational needs and failure conditions. This dynamic approach improves reliability by enabling automatic failover and enhances adaptability by allowing flexible remapping of control functions to different forwarding elements.
3Ease of operation
If multiple control points are distributed across autonomous routers, then network control can be implemented, but operational complexity increases and network instability occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple distributed control points into centralized control elements that manage multiple forwarding elements. By consolidating control functions in CEs rather than distributing them across autonomous routers, the system improves ease of operation through centralized management while enhancing network stability through coordinated control actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control elements are designed with universal functionality to manage multiple different forwarding elements across the network. Each CE can dynamically bind to and control multiple FEs, providing a universal control mechanism that simplifies network management and ensures stable, coordinated operation across diverse network components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If new features are added to traditional routers, then routing functionality is enhanced, but upgrade complexity increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments routing functionality into separate control plane features implemented in control elements and forwarding plane functions implemented in forwarding elements. This segmentation allows new features to be added by deploying new control plane software in CEs without requiring hardware upgrades or complex changes to forwarding elements, thereby enhancing adaptability while reducing upgrade complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables feature replication across multiple control elements and forwarding elements through dynamic binding and standard protocols. New features can be copied and deployed across the network by instantiating control logic in CEs that can be dynamically bound to appropriate FEs, allowing rapid feature introduction without complex manual configuration or hardware upgrades.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the exemplary SoftRouter architecture includes two physically separate networks, a control plane network and a data plane network. The data plane network is one physical network for the data traffic, while the control plane network is another physical network for the control traffic. The topology of the data plane network is made up of interconnected forwarding elements (FEs). The topology of the control plane network is made up interconnected control elements (CEs). This physical independence of the control plane network from the data plane network provides for a secure mechanism to communicate among the CEs in the control plane network. In addition, this physical independence provides improved reliability and improved scalability, when compared to the traditional router architecture, where control plane message are in-band with the data plane.