Tunnel Flow Table for GTP Encapsulation in OpenFlow Switches

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing OpenFlow protocol does not support GTP tunnel encapsulation for packets in mobile packet networks, preventing packet tunneling between serving gateways.

Innovation Solution

A packet tunneling method and devices that utilize a tunnel flow table entry to determine and manage packets for tunneling operations, enabling encapsulation and decapsulation of packets by adding or removing tunnel header information based on tunnel flow table entries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the OpenFlow protocol is used for packet transmission in mobile packet networks, then network traffic can be flexibly controlled and multi-controller switching is supported, but the existing flow table cannot support GTP tunnel encapsulation, preventing packet tunneling between serving gateways

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidtunneling function

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the flow table into multiple types: standard flow tables for OpenFlow protocol processing and tunnel flow tables for GTP tunnel encapsulation. This segmentation allows each flow table type to handle specific protocols independently, enabling both OpenFlow flexible control and GTP tunneling to coexist without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends the OpenFlow switch's functionality by adding tunnel flow table support, making the switch capable of handling both standard OpenFlow packets and GTP tunnel encapsulated packets. The multi-functional flow table system allows a single switch to serve multiple protocol requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a GTP tunnel is established for packet transmission between serving gateways, then packet tunneling can be achieved, but the existing OpenFlow flow table structure cannot accommodate GTP tunnel encapsulation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetunneling functionVSAvoidprotocol support

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces tunnel flow tables as a separate segment from standard flow tables. Tunnel flow tables are specifically designed to handle GTP tunnel encapsulation with dedicated fields for tunnel endpoint identifiers (TEID), outer IP addresses, and outer port numbers, while standard flow tables continue to handle OpenFlow packets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controller acts as an intermediary that manages both standard flow tables and tunnel flow tables. It receives packet_in messages, determines whether tunneling is needed, and appropriately configures either standard or tunnel flow table entries, bridging the gap between OpenFlow control and GTP tunneling requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the existing OpenFlow flow table is used for packet processing, then simple flow matching can be performed, but complex tunnel encapsulation and decapsulation operations cannot be executed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow table structureVSAvoidpacket processing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the flow table system into simple standard flow tables for basic OpenFlow packet processing and complex tunnel flow tables for GTP tunnel encapsulation/decapsulation. Each segment is optimized for its specific function, maintaining simplicity where needed while adding complexity only where required for tunneling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a new dimension to the flow table structure by introducing tunnel flow tables with additional fields (outer IP, outer port, TEID) alongside the traditional flow table dimensions. This dimensional extension enables the system to handle tunnel encapsulation without compromising the existing simple flow table functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10237089B2Packet tunneling method, switching device, and control device

Publication Date: 2019.03.19 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A packet tunneling method, a switching device, and a control device are provided. The method includes: a switching device receives a tunnel flow table entry delivered by the control device, where the tunnel flow table entry is used to determine a to-be-tunneled packet and indicate a tunneling operation to be performed on the to-be-tunneled packet; determines according to the tunnel flow table entry, whether the received first packet is the to-be-tunneled packet; and when the first packet is the to-be-tunneled packet, and tunnels the first packet according to the tunnel flow table entry. Because the switching device supports a tunnel flow table, when a packet is transmitted in a mobile packet network by using the OpenFlow protocol, tunnel encapsulation or decapsulation can be performed on the packet by using the tunnel flow table entry delivered by the control device, thereby enhancing a packet processing capability in the mobile packet network.