Unified Control and Packet Transfer Network Topology
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing OpenFlow-based communication systems have separate networks for packet transfer and control, which can lead to redundancy and increased management costs, as well as reduced fault-tolerance and scalability.
Innovation Solution
A communication system where the control unit integrates with packet transfer units using topology information to establish control channels within the same network, allowing the control unit to tunnel messages through the packet transfer network, eliminating the need for a dedicated control network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate control network and packet transfer network are used, then control reliability is improved, but system complexity and management costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control network and packet transfer network into a single unified network infrastructure. The control unit and packet transfer units communicate over the same network, eliminating the need for separate dedicated control networks while maintaining communication reliability through protocol design and message routing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified network serves dual purposes: it handles both control messages between the control unit and packet transfer units, and transfers data packets between packet transfer units. This multi-functional network reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the reliability needed for control operations.
2Reliability
If separate control network and packet transfer network are used, then control security is improved, but management costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines control and data traffic into a single network infrastructure, reducing the need for separate network hardware, maintenance, and management. This consolidation lowers management costs while control security is maintained through message authentication and encrypted communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the network configuration parameter from separate dedicated networks to a shared unified network. This parameter change reduces infrastructure costs and simplifies management, while security parameters are adjusted through protocol-level mechanisms such as authentication and encryption to maintain control security.
3Adaptability or versatility
If control unit uses topology information to establish control channels, then adaptability is improved, but communication line load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit preliminarily obtains and stores topology information about the network structure before establishing control channels. This preliminary action enables the control unit to efficiently route control messages along optimal paths, adapting to topology changes without requiring extensive real-time communication overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces control messages as intermediary carriers that convey topology information and control instructions between the control unit and packet transfer units. These control messages efficiently transmit necessary information without requiring additional dedicated communication lines, thus adapting to topology changes while minimizing communication line load.
Data Source
AI summary
The control unit specifies an undetected connection destination port and sends a reply request to a connection destination of the undetected connection destination port. The packet transfer unit determines whether the received reply request is to be transferred to any other packet transfer unit. The packet transfer unit, upon determining the reply request to be transferred to any other packet transfer unit, transfers the reply request to any other packet transfer unit. The packet transfer unit, upon determining the reply request not to be transferred to any other packet transfer unit, returns a reply that includes information on ports of the local packet transfer unit, the reply being sent along a path leading to the control unit.