Virtual Port Abstraction for Unified SDN Access Port Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of managing and maintaining various physical ports and service configurations in access networks, particularly in Ethernet-related services, leads to high maintenance and configuration costs, and the need for unified port management in SDN/NFV environments is urgent.
Innovation Solution
A virtual port management method that abstracts physical ports into virtual ports (vPORTs) to facilitate unified management and monitoring, enabling efficient network resource sharing and interface management in SDNized access networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical ports and service configurations are managed separately in conventional access networks, then service functionality is maintained, but management complexity and maintenance costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the management of physical ports and service configurations by introducing virtual ports as an intermediate layer. Physical ports are grouped into port groups that can be independently managed, while service configurations are associated with virtual ports rather than individual physical ports. This segmentation allows operations to be performed on logical groups rather than individual components, reducing management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual ports as an intermediary layer between physical ports and service configurations. Instead of directly managing service configurations on physical ports, the system uses virtual ports that can be dynamically created, modified, and deleted. This intermediary abstraction simplifies the management interface while maintaining the underlying physical connectivity structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple access network devices are introduced in different development stages, then network functionality and service capabilities are enhanced, but unified management and maintenance become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal port management model that works across different access network devices and technologies. The port group concept and virtual port abstraction are designed to be technology-agnostic, allowing the same management mechanisms to be applied whether the underlying physical ports are Ethernet, PON, or other access technologies. This enables unified management while supporting diverse service capabilities.
3Manufacturing precision
If Ethernet-related services are configured on individual physical ports, then service precision and control are maintained, but configuration cost and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple physical ports into port groups that can be configured and managed as a single unit. Service configurations are applied to virtual ports that represent these groups, allowing precise service control to be maintained while reducing the number of individual configuration operations required. This merging approach maintains service precision by preserving the ability to configure services with specific parameters while reducing configuration cost through batch operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are a virtual port management method and device. The method includes: establishing a mapping from a physical port to a virtual port vPORT; and updating a state of the virtual port according to a state of the physical port, the state of the virtual port being composed of a port management state, an operating state, and a protocol state. The present application facilitates network resource sharing of an SDN OLT and unified management of ports.