TCP Proxy for L2C Message Traffic Reduction in BNG

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional L2C message forwarding mechanisms in access networks are inefficient, leading to excessive traffic in broadband remote access servers, as they lack an effective mechanism to forward L2C messages according to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) or Access Nodes (ANs).

Innovation Solution

Implementing a TCP proxy mechanism that segments or aggregates TCP connections to forward L2C messages, utilizing a TCP proxy unit, control granularity conversion unit, and connection admission control (CAC) to optimize message processing and reduce traffic by converting single TCP connections into groups or vice versa, allowing flexible control over DSL physical ports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If L2C proxy is introduced to forward L2C messages, then the traffic of L2C messages in BNG/BRAS is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to the need for TCP proxy unit, control granularity conversion unit, and connection admission control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveL2C message trafficVSAvoidforwarding mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an L2C proxy as an intermediary component between the access network and BNG/BRAS. This proxy includes a TCP proxy unit, control granularity conversion unit, and CAC unit that work together to forward L2C messages without requiring the BNG/BRAS to directly handle all access node connections, thereby reducing traffic load on the core network equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the L2C message forwarding function into distinct modular units: TCP proxy unit for connection management, control granularity conversion unit for message transformation, and CAC unit for connection control. This segmentation allows each unit to handle specific tasks efficiently while reducing the overall complexity burden on the BNG/BRAS.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If TCP connections are segmented into groups to forward L2C messages, then control granularity is improved and traffic is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the complexity of managing multiple TCP connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol granularityVSAvoidmessage forwarding operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic connection grouping where TCP connections are dynamically segmented into groups based on control granularity requirements. The control granularity conversion unit dynamically transforms messages between different granularity levels, allowing the system to adapt connection groupings based on traffic patterns and control needs without manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connection admission control unit performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing and pre-managing TCP connection groups before actual L2C message forwarding begins. This preliminary setup of connection groups and their mapping relationships simplifies subsequent message forwarding operations by having the connection structure already optimized and ready.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2566131B1A L2C method, device and system
Publication Date: 2020.02.05 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2566131B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP2566131B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~3
  • EP2566131B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A layer 2 control (L2C) method and an L2C device are provided, which are applicable to segment TCP connections carrying L2C messages between network devices that are connected to the device on one side. One TCP connection from one side is converted into n TCP connections and sent to a network device that is connected to the device on the other side after segmenting. Alternatively, m TCP connections from one side are converted into one TCP connection and sent to the network device that is connected to the device on the other side after segmenting. An L2C system is further provided, which includes an access node (AN), a broadband network gateway/broadband remote access server (BNG/BRAS), and a device that is connected to the AN and the BNG/BRAS and adapted to segment TCP connections carrying L2C messages between the AN and the BNG/BRAS. Therefore, by TCP proxy, a mechanism for forwarding L2C messages according to the ISP or the AN is realized, and the traffic of the L2C messages in the BNG/BRAS from the access networks is reduced.