Virtual CPE Service Flow Segregation Using VLANs and GRE Tunnels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern customer premises equipment (CPE) lacks the capability to support advanced network features, requiring costly upgrades and complex integration of virtual local area networks (VLANs) and enhanced security, and often cannot deliver multiple digital services using a single infrastructure component.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a single CPE device that connects modems to Wi-Fi routers via Ethernet LAN ports, creates VLAN tags, and generates tunnels to segregate service flows, using Layer 3 GRE tunnels to manage different customer segments, with dynamic updates for changing demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional CPE devices are used, then basic connectivity is provided, but advanced network features and multiple digital services cannot be supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments CPE functionality into two parts: a simple bridged residential gateway (BRG) at customer premises and a virtual CPE (vCPE) component at the service provider's broadband network gateway (BNG). This segmentation allows the BRG to remain simple while the vCPE provides advanced features like VLAN support, security, and multiple service flows, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vCPE architecture provides multi-functionality by enabling a single BRG infrastructure to deliver multiple digital services including high-speed data, voice over IP, video streaming, and mobile data services. The virtualized CPE functions at the BNG can be dynamically allocated to support various service types without requiring separate physical equipment for each service.
2Adaptability or versatility
If CPE functions are distributed between BRG and BNG, then advanced features are enabled, but integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses standardized communication protocols and interfaces as intermediaries between the BRG and BNG components. The BNG acts as a mediator that manages the virtual CPE functions and communicates with the simple BRG through well-defined interfaces, reducing integration complexity while enabling advanced features.
Solution Approach 2:
The vCPE architecture creates a virtual copy of CPE functionality at the BNG that mirrors traditional CPE operations. This virtual copy handles complex functions like packet filtering, DHCP server, and VLAN management, allowing the physical BRG to remain simple while the virtual instance provides the necessary complexity.
3Productivity
If multiple digital services are delivered through single infrastructure, then resource utilization improves, but service flow management becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments service flows using VLAN tags that are created and managed by the vCPE at the BNG. Each VLAN tag identifies and segregates traffic for different services (data, voice, video, mobile data), allowing multiple services to share the physical infrastructure while maintaining separate management control through the virtualized component.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices for managing multiple service flows through a single Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) device to provide differentiated services to multiple customers, which may be at the same or different locations. A CPE device may be configured to create one or more Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN) tags within the CPE device, each associated with a specific Service Set Identifier (SSID), which segregates service flows based on customer needs and service types. The CPE device may also generate multiple tunnels from a network gateway to the Wi-Fi routers, with each tunnel corresponding to one of the SSIDs. The tunnels facilitate the segregation of service flows to maintain distinct and independent service streams for different customer segments.