Virtual Broadband Network Gateway Load Balancing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional virtual broadband network gateways (vBNG) are limited in supporting multiple forwarding units, making it difficult to flexibly respond to dynamically changing network service requirements.

Innovation Solution

A virtual network device with a load balance unit that distributes data packets to multiple forwarding units based on correspondence mappings, enabling the vBNG to support multiple forwarding units and adapt to changing service demands through unit expansion or contraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If one vBNG supports only one forwarding unit, then the system structure is simple, but the adaptability to dynamically changing network service requirements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidadaptability to dynamically changing network service requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the forwarding function into multiple independent forwarding units (first forwarding unit, second forwarding unit, etc.) that can be independently selected and managed. The load balancing unit segments the traffic distribution task by maintaining a correspondence table that maps different data packets to different forwarding units, enabling flexible load distribution across multiple units while keeping each unit's structure simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The load balancing unit is designed as a universal component that can distribute traffic to any number of forwarding units based on the correspondence table. This universal distribution mechanism allows the vBNG to adapt to dynamically changing service requirements by adjusting the correspondence relationships without changing the fundamental system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If one vBNG supports multiple forwarding units, then the adaptability to dynamically changing network service requirements is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to dynamically changing network service requirementsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The load balancing unit acts as an intermediary between the external network and multiple forwarding units. It maintains a correspondence table that serves as a mediation layer, translating incoming data packets to the appropriate forwarding units without requiring complex direct routing logic in each forwarding unit. This intermediary approach manages complexity by centralizing the distribution logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system manages complexity by changing parameters in the correspondence table rather than restructuring the forwarding units themselves. The load balancing unit adjusts distribution parameters (which forwarding unit handles which traffic) based on service requirements, allowing dynamic adaptation without modifying the core forwarding unit structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3404878B1Virtual network apparatus, and related method
Publication Date: 2023.06.28 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3404878B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3404878B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3404878B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a virtual network device. The virtual network device is configured to implement a broadband network gateway BNG function, and the virtual network device includes a load balance unit and a first forwarding unit; the load balance unit is configured to: receive a first data packet from a first user terminal, determine the first forwarding unit according to the first data packet and a first correspondence, and send the first data packet to the first forwarding unit, where the first correspondence indicates mapping from the first user terminal to the first forwarding unit; and the first forwarding unit is configured to receive and forward the first data packet. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention further disclose a method for implementing load sharing in a virtual network device.