Virtual End-Point Mobility for Traffic Engineering Tunnels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current traffic engineering tunnels have fixed end-points, making it necessary for operators to manually change tunnel configurations when network evolution requires different physical resources, which is inefficient and lacks automatic end-point mobility.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of virtualized end-points for traffic engineering tunnels allows for dynamic allocation and change of ingress and egress points without manual intervention, enabling end-point mobility and improved recovery mechanisms by defining relationships between working and protection end-points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fixed end-points are used in traffic engineering tunnels, then tunnel configuration is simple and stable, but manual intervention is required when network evolution requires different physical resources, reducing operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transforming fixed end-points into mobile virtual end-points (VEPs). The VEP can dynamically change its physical location between ingress and egress points based on network conditions, eliminating manual reconfiguration. When network evolution requires different physical resources, the VEP automatically migrates to new locations without operator intervention, thus improving operational efficiency while maintaining ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If virtualized end-points are introduced for dynamic allocation, then end-point mobility and scalability are improved, but system complexity increases due to virtualization overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coordinator as an intermediary entity that manages virtual end-points across multiple domains. The coordinator handles the complexity of virtualization by centralizing control functions, including VEP creation, migration, and coordination with physical network controllers. This intermediary approach enables end-point mobility and scalability while containing system complexity within a dedicated management entity rather than distributing it across the entire network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the tunnel end-point function into a virtual layer (VEP) and a physical layer (actual ingress/egress points). This segmentation allows the virtual end-point to be independently managed and migrated without affecting the physical infrastructure. The VEP acts as an abstract layer that can be dynamically allocated across different physical resources, providing adaptability while keeping the physical network unchanged.
3Loss of time
If manual configuration changes are performed for network evolution, then configuration accuracy is maintained, but time consumption and operational inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automatic VEP migration triggered by network events. When network evolution requires different physical resources, the system automatically detects the need for reconfiguration and executes the migration without human intervention. The coordinator monitors network conditions and autonomously relocates VEPs to optimize tunnel performance, eliminating manual configuration changes and reducing time loss while maintaining configuration accuracy through automated decision-making.
4Adaptability or versatility
If fixed physical resources are allocated to tunnel end-points, then resource allocation is simple and reliable, but network scalability and flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the end-point function through the VEP, which can be replicated and migrated across multiple physical locations. Instead of being bound to a single physical resource, the VEP can be instantiated at different ingress or egress points as needed. This copying mechanism enables network scalability by allowing the same logical end-point to serve multiple physical locations while maintaining configuration stability through consistent virtual identity and managed migration processes.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
It is disclosed a coordinator (22), a physical network controller (24, 26) and methods therein for enabling end-point mobility of a traffic engineering, TE, tunnel in a multi-domain network. Based on a request for virtual network configuration of one or both of the ingress and the egress end-points of the TE tunnel, the coordinator of a multi-domain network determines 54, S416 a second request for virtualizing said one or both of the ingress and the egress end- points of the TE tunnel. The physical network controller may then virtualize end-points of the TE tunnel, providing a virtualized end-point, VEP, TE tunnel, having end-point mobility capacity. Recovery mechanisms of tunnel paths may be efficiently implemented. The present disclosure also provides scalability improvements and operational expenditure, OPEX, savings, as compared to state of art TE tunnels.