Application-Policy-Based Virtual SDN Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Software Defined Networking (SDN) systems lack the ability to optimize network traffic routing for specific application communications, as they do not consider application-specific characteristics or behaviors, leading to inefficient network management and traffic handling.
Innovation Solution
An application-policy-based virtual SDN controller is introduced, which determines optimal communication flow paths and provides application-specific rules to networking devices within the SDN network, ensuring that application communications meet desired network properties such as Quality of Service, priority, load balancing, and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional physical SDN controllers are used for general purpose flow control, then network control functionality is provided, but application-specific traffic optimization cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the SDN controller functionality by creating multiple virtual SDN controllers, each dedicated to specific applications. This allows each virtual controller to be optimized for its particular application's traffic patterns and requirements, while the overall system maintains general-purpose capabilities through the collection of these specialized controllers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling virtual SDN controllers to handle both general-purpose flow control and application-specific optimization simultaneously. The virtual controllers can dynamically adapt their behavior based on the application context, providing universal control functionality while maintaining application-specific expertise.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional SDN systems provide general purpose flow control, then basic network management is achieved, but dynamic adaptability to different application characteristics is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual SDN controllers implement self-service by automatically detecting application characteristics and dynamically adjusting flow rules without requiring manual reconfiguration. The controllers monitor traffic patterns, identify application-specific behaviors, and autonomously optimize routing decisions, reducing the operational burden on network administrators.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where virtual SDN controllers continuously monitor network traffic and application performance, using this information to dynamically adjust flow rules and routing decisions. This closed-loop control enables automatic adaptation to changing application characteristics while maintaining operational simplicity through centralized management.
Data Source
AI summary
An application-policy-based SDN controller system includes a first device running a first application, and a second device. Each of the first device and the second device are coupled to a SDN network via one of a plurality of networking devices in the SDN network. A first virtual application-policy-based SDN controller determines a first application communication flow path through the SDN network for first application communications that are between the first device and the second device and that involve the first application. The first virtual application-policy-based SDN controller then provides at least one application-policy-based flow rule to a first subset of the plurality of networking devices that are included in the first application communication flow path. The at least one application-policy-based flow rule causes the first subset of the plurality of networking devices to transmit the first application communications such that the first application communications satisfy at least one network property.