Virtual CPE for Nomadic User Subscriptions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireline broadband networks face challenges in providing mobility and flexibility for user subscriptions, as traditional physical customer premises equipment (CPE) anchors subscriptions to specific locations, limiting the ability to easily redeploy or move subscription services across different locations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing virtual customer premises equipment (VCPE) within service provider network devices, such as service gateways, which virtualizes the functionality of physical CPE, allowing subscribers to access the network from any location by executing a virtual CPE that provides DHCP, AAA, and NAT services, enabling user subscription nomadicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If physical customer premises equipment (CPE) is deployed to anchor subscriptions to specific locations, then network access control and service management are simplified, but user mobility and subscription flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the CPE functionality through VCPE (Virtual Customer Premises Equipment) that can be instantiated at multiple locations. Instead of moving physical hardware, the subscription service is copied and delivered through virtual instances distributed across the network, enabling users to access their subscription at any location without physically relocating equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a subscription management system that acts as an intermediary between the physical CPE and the user. This intermediary decouples the subscription from any specific physical location by managing virtual CPE instances across multiple network points, allowing flexible subscription delivery while maintaining centralized control over service management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If virtual customer premises equipment (VCPE) is executed to enable subscription mobility, then user flexibility and multi-location access are improved, but network device complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the VCPE architecture to be universal and multi-functional, where a single virtualized platform can serve multiple subscribers and support various service types. The VCPE can be instantiated on standard network devices, making those devices multi-functional by enabling them to provide both traditional routing services and virtual CPE services simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the CPE functionality with the network infrastructure by executing virtual CPE instances directly on network devices. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate physical CPE at customer premises and combines multiple functions (routing, NAT, DHCP, and virtualization) into unified network device roles, reducing overall system complexity despite the added virtualization layer.
3Productivity
If multiple subscriptions are hosted from a single subscription point, then premises sharing and revenue potential are enhanced, but traffic management and subscription isolation become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments each subscription into isolated virtual instances (VCPE) that run on the same physical infrastructure. Each subscription maintains its own virtual network interface, address space, and service policies, ensuring complete isolation between subscribers. This segmentation enables multiple subscriptions to coexist on a single subscription point while maintaining individual service quality and security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a virtualization dimension to the traditional single-subscription-per-location model. By introducing the virtual CPE layer, the system transitions from a one-to-one mapping (physical CPE to single subscription) to a many-to-one relationship (multiple virtual CPE instances to single physical subscription point), enabling premises sharing while maintaining subscription integrity through virtual boundary enforcement.
Data Source
AI summary
In general, techniques are described for providing user nomadicity in wireline broadband networks. A network device positioned in a wireline broadband network comprising a processor and an interface may be configured to perform the techniques. The processor may be configured to execute a first virtual customer premises equipment to provide, to a first subscriber, access to the wireline broadband network from a first subscription point in accordance with a first subscription. The processor may also be configured to provide, to a second subscriber, access to the wireline broadband network from the first subscription point in accordance with a second subscription. The interface may be configured to forward, in accordance with the first subscription, traffic received from the first subscription point and associated with the first subscriber, and forward, in accordance with the second subscription, traffic received from the first subscription point and associated with the second subscriber.