Virtualized Control Plane Network Element Location Cost Model

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Solution Overview

Problem

Virtualization of network elements leads to inaccurate location-based cost determinations due to the virtualized network element not being physically located where the service is provided, breaking cost models that rely on geographic location.

Innovation Solution

Establishing network connections between virtualized control plane network elements and regional networks with assigned network connection costs, allowing the virtualized elements to appear as locally located, thus supporting routing protocols with accurate location-based cost models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If network elements are virtualized and centralized, then capital expenses and operation expenses are reduced, but location-based cost determinations become inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational expensesVSAvoidlocation-based cost determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a virtual location identifier as an intermediary that bridges the physical location of virtualized network elements and the logical location required by routing protocols. This virtual location acts as a mediator that allows centralized virtualized elements to appear at distributed logical locations, maintaining accurate location-based cost determinations while enabling expense reductions through virtualization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter representation of network element location from physical coordinates to virtual location identifiers. By transforming the location parameter from a physical attribute to a logical attribute, the system maintains compatibility with location-based routing cost models while enabling flexible virtualization deployment that reduces operational expenses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If control plane network elements are virtualized and remotely located, then infrastructure costs are reduced, but routing protocol cost models that rely on geographic location break down

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrastructure complexityVSAvoidrouting cost model integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of network element locations through virtual location identifiers. These virtual locations are copies of the logical location information that routing protocols expect to find, allowing the control plane elements to be physically centralized while maintaining the appearance of distributed locations, thus preserving routing cost model integrity while simplifying infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If virtualized network elements are not physically located where service is provided, then virtualization benefits are achieved, but location-based routing costs become inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirtualization flexibilityVSAvoidrouting cost accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a logical dimension to the physical location concept by introducing virtual location identifiers. This creates a two-dimensional location system where physical location and logical location can be independently managed. The virtual location dimension allows routing protocols to maintain accurate cost calculations based on logical proximity while the physical infrastructure can be optimized for virtualization benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9553791B2Virtualization of control plane network elements

Publication Date: 2017.01.24 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

A system includes a first regional network including a first network element; a second regional network including a virtualized control plane network element, the virtualized control plane network element supporting a routing protocol at the first regional network, the routing protocol employing a location-based cost model; and a network connection connecting the virtualized control plane network element to the first regional network, the network connection having a network connection cost, the network connection cost applied in the location-based cost model to support the routing protocol at the first regional network.