vBNG Virtual MAC Transfer Using Load-Based UP Node Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtual broadband network gateway (vBNG) systems, the backup user plane (UP) nodes become overloaded and faulty due to the transfer of a large quantity of virtual MAC addresses without considering load-related conditions, leading to resource idleness and communication disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A communication method where the control plane (CP) node transfers virtual MAC addresses to target UP nodes based on load-related conditions, ensuring that the target UP nodes have sufficient capacity and reducing the likelihood of overload by distributing addresses across different nodes, implementing an N+1 warm backup technology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the CP node directly transfers virtual MAC addresses to a fixed backup UP node without considering load conditions, then the backup mechanism is simple to implement, but the backup UP node is easily overloaded and faulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic load-based virtual MAC address transfer by having the CP node evaluate the load conditions of target UP nodes before transferring virtual MAC addresses. The system dynamically selects target nodes based on real-time load metrics rather than using a fixed backup node, thereby preventing overload and faults while maintaining reliability.
2Device complexity
If all virtual MAC addresses are transferred to a single backup UP node, then the transfer process is simple, but the backup UP node becomes overloaded and faulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the virtual MAC address transfer process by distributing different virtual MAC addresses to different target UP nodes based on load conditions. Instead of concentrating all transfers on a single backup node, the system divides the transfer workload across multiple capable nodes, preventing any single node from becoming overloaded.
3Device complexity
If the backup UP node has no virtual MAC address for user access, then the N:1 warm backup structure is simple, but resource idleness occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements N+1 warm backup where target UP nodes can serve dual purposes: they function as active nodes handling their own virtual MAC addresses while simultaneously serving as backup nodes that can receive transferred virtual MAC addresses. This multi-functionality eliminates resource idleness by ensuring backup nodes are always utilizing their resources.
4Ease of operation
If multiple virtual MAC addresses are transferred to the same target UP node, then the transfer mechanism is simple, but the target UP node is overloaded and faulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates load condition feedback into the virtual MAC address transfer decision-making process. The CP node continuously monitors the load status of potential target UP nodes and uses this feedback to determine whether to transfer a virtual MAC address to a particular node. This feedback mechanism prevents overload by redirecting transfers to nodes with available capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method includes a control plane node transferring a first virtual media access control (MAC) address in a plurality of virtual MAC addresses on a plurality of user plane (UP) nodes from a first UP node in the plurality of UP nodes to a target UP node based on that the target UP node in the plurality of UP nodes in a virtual broadband network gateway (vBNG) system satisfies a target condition, where the target condition is related to a load of the target UP node.