Virtual Element Management System Protocol Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing access networks require end-user devices to have hardware and software for multiple protocols, making them complex and inefficient for communicating across different types of networks.
Innovation Solution
A virtual element management system (vEMS) with an orchestration layer and control layer decouples control plane functionality from data plane functionality, using adapters to translate network traffic from a meta-language to device-specific languages, enabling seamless communication across various access networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If end-user devices include hardware and software for multiple protocols to communicate with different access networks, then communication capability across different networks is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network gateway as an intermediary device that translates between different network protocols. The gateway includes protocol adaptation modules that convert messages from first protocol format to second protocol format, enabling end-user devices to communicate across different access networks without requiring multiple protocol stacks in each device. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by centralizing protocol complexity in the gateway while keeping end-user devices simple.
2Adaptability or versatility
If end-user devices are configured with multiple protocol stacks for different access networks, then network compatibility is improved, but configuration complexity and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts protocol translation functionality from end-user devices and places it in the network gateway. By taking out the complex protocol adaptation logic from individual devices and centralizing it in the gateway, the system achieves network compatibility without burdening end-user devices with configuration complexity. The gateway handles all protocol conversion centrally, making the system easier to operate and configure.
3Ease of operation
If a unified interface is implemented for communicating with multiple access networks, then ease of operation is improved, but the system architecture complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into two distinct layers: a simplified end-user device layer that uses a unified interface, and a network gateway layer that handles protocol translation. This segmentation allows the ease of operation benefit to be realized at the end-user device level while the architecture complexity is contained and managed in the gateway layer. The clear separation of concerns enables unified interface operation without distributing complexity across all devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Virtual element management systems, methods and computer readable media are disclosed. A virtual element management system may include an orchestration layer, a control layer, and one or more adapters. The orchestration layer may receive a request formatted in accordance with a device-independent language from customer premises equipment via a first interface and may communicate the request to an appropriate adapter via the control layer. The adapter may translate the request to a device-specific request formatted in accordance with a device-specific language and may communicate the request to a network device via a second interface.