Virtual Network Functions for Cable MAC Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cable communication systems face inefficiencies in scalability and cost-effectiveness due to reliance on dedicated hardware and rigid architectures, particularly in implementing Medium Access Control (MAC) layer functionalities in DOCSIS networks.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) that partition MAC layer functionalities into data-plane and control-plane components, running on hosts with varying network latency, and utilizing orchestration to manage and migrate these functions, allowing for flexible assignment and offloading to accelerators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated hardware is used for MAC layer functionalities, then system reliability is improved, but scalability and cost-effectiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidscalability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of MAC layer functionalities through VNFs that can be instantiated multiple times on standard hardware platforms. Each VNF instance replicates the necessary MAC processing capabilities, enabling scalable deployment without requiring additional dedicated hardware for each function or service tier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The VNF architecture enables a single hardware platform to host multiple MAC layer functions simultaneously. The universal VNF design allows the same infrastructure to support diverse services and configurations, making the system adaptable to different operational requirements while maintaining reliability through software-based function separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If MAC layer functionalities are implemented on general purpose computing hosts, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but performance and latency management deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost-effectivenessVSAvoidlatency management

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments MAC layer functionalities into distinct VNFs that can be independently deployed and managed. This segmentation allows critical latency-sensitive functions to be isolated and optimized separately from less time-critical operations, enabling performance management on general-purpose hardware through functional separation rather than requiring specialized hardware for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The orchestration VNF acts as an intermediary that manages and coordinates the distributed MAC layer VNFs. It handles scheduling, resource allocation, and coordination between control-plane and data-plane functions, enabling efficient performance management on general-purpose computing hosts through intelligent software mediation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If control-plane and data-plane VNFs are co-located on the same host, then device complexity is reduced, but latency management deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidnetwork latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments control-plane and data-plane VNFs as separate deployable units that can be placed on different physical hosts. This segmentation enables latency optimization by locating data-plane functions closer to the network edge while placing control-plane functions on hosts with adequate processing resources, reducing the latency impact of control-plane operations on time-critical data processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If VNFs are migrated between physical hosts, then adaptability and resource utilization are improved, but system complexity and migration overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The orchestration VNF serves as an intermediary that manages the complexity of VNF migration between physical hosts. It handles the coordination, state management, and resource allocation required for seamless migration, shielding individual VNFs from the complexity of inter-host communication and enabling adaptability through centralized orchestration rather than distributed complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12001873B2Cable communication system using virtual network functions

Publication Date: 2024.06.04 FALCON V SYST SA

AI summary

A cable communication system includes one or more data-plane virtual network functions (VNFs) and one or more control-plane VNFs. The data-plane VNFs are configured to run on one or more hosts in a data network, and to perform data-plane medium access control (MAC) processing for a plurality of user-side cable modems and for a plurality of network-side physical-layer (PHY) devices that communicate with the user-side modems. The control-plane VNFs are configured to run on at least one host in the data network, separately from the data-plane VNFs, and to perform control-plane processing for the user-side modems and the network-side PHY devices.