KR102567132B1 - Network data chaining apparatus, and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a chaining technology for building a network by combining virtual resource-based applications in a predetermined connection order, and a network data chaining device capable of dynamically changing the combination of connections between applications and the resulting data flow, and It relates to a method of operating a network data chaining device.

Description

Network data chaining device and operation method of network data chaining device {NETWORK DATA CHAINING APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a method for dynamically changing a combination of connections between applications and the resultant data flow in relation to a chaining technology for building a network by combining virtual resource-based applications in a predetermined connection order. .

Interest in network openness and virtualization is increasing, centering on service providers and telecommunication operators, and technologies supporting this are Software-Defined Networking (SDN) technology and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV). ) technology exists.

NFV technology is regarded as one of the representative application fields of SDN in that network service functions composed of hardware can be flexibly relocated by software virtualization.

In particular, service chaining technology, which builds a network by combining a plurality of virtualized network components based on NFV in a predetermined order, is attracting high attention from network operators and service providers.

In this regard, since NFV technology is also applied to the Mobile-Edge Computing (MEC) environment, which is a concept to provide various IT services and technologies that were provided in the existing cloud environment at the edge of the mobile network, One network can be implemented by combining virtual resource-based applications in a predetermined connection order.

On the other hand, in a network in which applications are combined in this way, data processed by each application is transferred to the next application in the next order according to a predetermined connection order. If a change in data flow between these applications is required, the existing application Connections between applications must be terminated, and connections between applications must be newly configured.

However, in order to terminate the existing connection between applications, all data waiting to be transmitted must be transmitted at the kernel and network level, which makes it difficult to change the data flow between applications in real time and causes data transmission delays. In order to support a series of procedures, there is a problem that implementation logic of the application becomes complicated.

Accordingly, the present invention proposes a new technique that can dynamically change the combination of connections between applications and the resulting data flow in relation to the chaining technology that builds one network by combining virtual resource-based applications in a predetermined connection order.

The present invention was created in view of the above circumstances, and an object to be reached in the present invention is related to chaining technology that builds a network by combining virtual resource-based applications in a predetermined connection order, It is to propose a new technique that can dynamically change the combination of connections and the resulting data flow.

To achieve the above object, a network data chaining apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a setting unit configured to set network chaining information about network resources in which each virtual resource-based application is combined in a predefined connection order; and a processing unit that sequentially transfers data to each application according to a connection order between applications in the network based on the network chaining information so that data is serially processed between applications, wherein the network chaining information is defined between applications in the network It is characterized in that it includes a MAC address for each application that is updated to indicate the application of each connection sequence according to the connection sequence.

Specifically, the processing unit sets the destination MAC address of the data to the MAC address of a specific application according to the connection order indicated by the network chaining information and delivers it to the specific application, and for the data processed in the specific application, The destination MAC address may be updated with the MAC address of another application that is adjacent to the specific application and then transferred to the other application.

Specifically, the processing unit may transfer the data to an input port of the specific application, obtain data processed in the specific application from an output port of the specific application, and transfer the data to an input port of the other application.

To achieve the above object, a method of operating a network data chaining device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a setting step of setting network chaining information for network resources in which virtual resource-based applications are combined in a predefined connection order. ; and a processing step of sequentially transferring data to each application according to a connection order between applications in the network based on the network chaining information so that data is serially processed between applications, wherein the network chaining information is defined between applications in the network. It is characterized in that it includes a MAC address for each application that is updated to indicate the application of each connection sequence according to the connection sequence.

Specifically, in the processing step, the destination MAC address of the data is set to the MAC address of a specific application according to the connection order indicated by the network chaining information and delivered to the specific application, and for the data processed in the specific application , the destination MAC address may be updated with the MAC address of another application that is next to the specific application in connection order and delivered to the other application.

Specifically, in the processing step, the data may be transferred to an input port of the specific application, and data processed in the specific application may be acquired from an output port of the specific application and transmitted to an input port of the other application.

A program according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a setting step of setting network chaining information about network resources in which each virtual resource-based application is combined in a predefined connection order in combination with hardware; And based on the network chaining information, stored in a medium to execute a processing step of sequentially transferring data to each application according to the order of connection between applications in the network so that the data is serially processed between applications. It is characterized in that it includes a MAC address for each application that is updated to indicate an application of each connection sequence according to a connection sequence defined between applications in the network.

Therefore, according to the network data chaining device and the method of operating the network data chaining device of the present invention, as data transfer is performed at a network side separate from applications, the combination of connections between applications and the resulting data flow can be dynamically changed without delay. In addition, since only data processing is required in the application stage, the implementation logic of the application can be simplified as much as possible.

1 is an exemplary diagram for explaining a network chaining environment according to the prior art;
2 is an exemplary diagram for explaining a network chaining environment according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a configuration diagram for explaining a network data chaining device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is an exemplary diagram for explaining network chaining information (label information) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an exemplary diagram for explaining data flow according to an embodiment of the present invention;
6 is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of a network data chaining device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a service chaining technology for building a network by combining a plurality of network components virtualized based on NFV in a predetermined order is dealt with.

In this regard, since NFV technology is also applied to the Mobile-Edge Computing (MEC) environment, which is a concept to provide various IT services and technologies that were provided in the existing cloud environment at the edge of the mobile network, One network can be implemented by combining virtual resource-based applications (software modules) in a predetermined connection order.

On the other hand, in a network in which applications are combined in this way, data processed by each application is transferred to the next application in the next order according to a predetermined connection order. If a change in data flow between these applications is required, the existing application Connections between applications must be terminated, and connections between applications must be newly configured.

However, in order to terminate the existing connection between applications, all data waiting to be transmitted must be transmitted at the kernel and network level, which makes it difficult to change the data flow between applications in real time, resulting in data transmission delay.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , data received from an external source is processed by the first application (App1), and the data processed by the first application (App1) is processed by the second application (App2). If you want to change the existing data path that is delivered to the destination (Sinker) via the source (External Source) to a new data path that is delivered to the destination (Sinker) via the first application (App1) and the third application (App3). I can assume

In this case, data processing and data transmission in the first application (App1) must be stopped, and after waiting for all data that has already been transmitted in the application (App1 or App2) and waiting to be transmitted in the kernel and network levels to be transmitted, the existing data A series of processes in which a connection for transmission must be terminated, a new connection must be created between the first application (App1) and the third application (App3), and then data processing and data transmission must be started again are required.

In particular, in order to change the combination of applications and the corresponding data flow in the network built by the combination of applications, the application layer must support the creation and change of L3 (TCP/UDP) data channels for data transmission. A problem arises in which the implementation logic of the application to support becomes complicated.

Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, in relation to the chaining technology that builds one network by combining virtual resource-based applications in a predetermined connection order, a new technique that can dynamically change the combination of connections between applications and the resulting data flow is to propose.

In this regard, FIG. 2 exemplarily shows a network chaining environment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the network chaining environment according to an embodiment of the present invention, virtual resource-based applications (App1, App2, and App3) control data flow in a network in which each is combined in a predefined connection order. A network data chaining device 100 may be included.

Here, the network data chaining device 100 sequentially transfers the data received from the source (External Source) according to the order of connection between the applications (App1, App2, and App3) within the network, and serially processes them between the applications (App1, App2, and App3). It refers to a device for delivering processed data to a destination (Sinker).

Such a network data chaining device 100 may be implemented in the form of a network component virtualized at the network level separately from virtual resource-based applications (App1, App2, and App3), for example.

On the other hand, the network chaining 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied, for example, for media data processing. In this case, in each application (App1, App2, App3) in the network, decoding ( Decoding, by App1), upscaling (UpScaling, by App2), and encoding (Encoding, by App3) may be sequentially processed.

In the network chaining environment according to an embodiment of the present invention, the combination of connections between applications (App1, App2, and App3) and the resulting data flow can be dynamically changed through the above configuration. Hereinafter, network data for realizing this The configuration of the chaining device 100 will be described in more detail.

3 shows a schematic configuration of a network data chaining device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the network data chaining apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a setting unit 110 for setting network chaining information, and a processing unit for processing data transfer based on the network chaining information ( 120) may have a configuration including.

The entire configuration or at least part of the network data chaining device 100 may be implemented in the form of a software module, where the software module is virtualized at the network level apart from virtual resource-based applications (App1, App2, App3). It can be understood as being a network component that is built and built.

Based on the above configuration, the network data chaining device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can dynamically change the combination of connections between applications (App1, App2, and App3) and the resulting data flow. A more detailed description of the configuration within the network data chaining device 100 to be realized will be continued.

The setting unit 110 performs a function of setting network chaining information related to a combination between applications (App1, App2, and App3).

More specifically, the setting unit 110 builds a network in which each of the virtual resource-based applications (App1, App2, and App3) is combined in a predefined connection order, and the network, which is information for controlling data flow in this network. Chaining information is set.

At this time, the setting unit 110 may set network chaining information to include a MAC address for each application suitable for each connection sequence in order to indicate an application of each connection sequence according to a connection sequence defined between applications in the network.

Here, the MAC address for each application may correspond to the MAC address of a virtual port generated to transfer traffic of virtual resources.

For example, if you want to define a connection order that is transmitted from a source (External Source) to a destination (Sinker) via a first application (App1), a second application (App2), and a third application, in FIG. 4 (a) As such, network chaining information can be set to include the MAC addresses of the first application (App1), the second application (App2), and the third application (App3) according to the connection order.

As another example, if you want to define a connection sequence that is transmitted from the source (External Source) to the destination (Sinker) via the first application (App1) and the third application, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the connection sequence Accordingly, network chaining information may be set to include the MAC addresses of the first application (App1) and the third application (App3).

As another example, if it is desired to define a connection sequence from a source (External Source) to a destination (Sinker) via only the second application (App2), the second application (App2) as shown in FIG. 4 (c). Network chaining information can be set to include only the MAC address of

The processing unit 120 performs a function of processing data transfer based on network chaining information.

More specifically, when the network chaining information is set, the processing unit 120 transfers data received from the source (External Source) according to the connection order between the applications (App1, App2, and App3) according to the set network chaining information. App2, App3) are sequentially transmitted and processed, and when data processing is completed between applications (App1, App2, App3) within the network, the processed data is delivered to the destination (sinker).

At this time, the processing unit 120 sets the destination MAC address of the data to the MAC address of a specific application according to the connection order indicated by the network chaining information and delivers it to the specific application, and for the data processed in the specific application, the destination MAC address The address may be updated to a MAC address of another application that is adjacent to the specific application and then connected in order, and transmitted to the other application.

In particular, the processing unit 120 transfers data received from an external source in this data transfer process to the input port of the specific application, and obtains the data processed in the specific application from the output port of the specific application It is transferred to the input port of the other application.

For example, when the network chaining information indicates the connection order of the first application (App1), the second application (App2), and the third application (App3), as shown in FIG. 5 (a), the source (External Source) The destination MAC address of the data received from is set as the MAC address of the first application and delivered to the input port of the first application (App1), and the data processed by the first application (App1) sets the destination MAC address to the second application ( It is updated with the MAC address of App2) and transferred from the output port of the first application (App1) to the input port of the second application (App2), and the data processed by the second application (App2) transfers the destination MAC address to the third application (App2). The MAC address of App3) is transmitted from the output port of the second application (App2) to the input port of the third application (App3), and the data processed by the third application (App3) is output from the third application (App3). It can be forwarded from the port to the destination (Sinker).

As another example, when the label added to the header field of the data indicates the order of connection of the first application (App1) and the third application (App3), respectively, as in FIG. 5 (b), from the source (External Source). The destination MAC address of the received data is set as the MAC address of the first application and forwarded to the input port of the first application (App1). ) and transfers it from the output port of the first application (App1) to the input port of the third application (App3), and the data processed by the third application (App3) is sent to the output port of the third application (App3). It can be transmitted from the destination to the sinker.

As another example, if the label added to the header field of the data indicates only the second application (App2), as in FIG. 5 (c), the destination MAC address of the data received from the source (External Source). is set as the MAC address of the second application (App2) and transmitted to the input port of the second application (App2), and the data processed by the second application (App2) is sent from the output port of the second application (App2) to the destination (Sinker ) can be transmitted.

As such, in one embodiment of the present invention, it can be confirmed that data transmission between the applications (App1, App2, and App3) is performed on a network side separate from the applications (App1, App2, and App3). The connection combination between App2 and App3) and the resulting data flow can be dynamically changed without delay, and the application (App1, App2, App3) processes data received through the input port and exports the processed data through the output port. Since only is required, it can be seen that the implementation logic of the application can be minimized.

On the other hand, the processing unit 120 performs data processing between the applications (App1, App2, and App3) in the network when the MAC address indicating the connection sequence between the applications (App1, App2, and App3) no longer exists on the network chaining information. It is regarded as completed, and the data processed in this way can be delivered from the output port of the application corresponding to the last connection sequence to the destination (sinker).

As described above, according to the configuration of the network data chaining device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the virtual resource-based applications (App1, App2, App3) is combined in a predefined connection order to the network. Obtains network chaining information about the source from data received from the source (External Source), and based on this network chaining information, data received from the source (External Source) is connected in the order of connection between applications (App1, App2, App3) in the network. According to this, each application (App1, App2, App3) is transmitted sequentially to be serially processed, and when data processing is completed between the applications (App1, App2, App3) in the network, the processed data is transmitted to the destination (Sinker), As data transmission is performed on a network side separate from the applications (App1, App2, App3), the connection combination between the applications (App1, App2, App3) and the resulting data flow can be dynamically changed without delay, and also, the application ( Since only data processing is required in the App1, App2, and App3) stages, the implementation logic of the application can be simplified as much as possible.

Hereinafter, an operating method of the network data chaining device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6 .

First, the setting unit 110 builds a network in which each of the virtual resource-based applications (App1, App2, and App3) is combined in a predefined connection order, and provides network chaining information, which is information for controlling data flow in this network. is set (S110).

At this time, the setting unit 110 may set network chaining information to include a MAC address for each application suitable for each connection sequence in order to indicate an application of each connection sequence according to a connection sequence defined between applications in the network.

For example, if you want to define a connection order that is transmitted from a source (External Source) to a destination (Sinker) via a first application (App1), a second application (App2), and a third application, FIG. 4 ( As in a), network chaining information can be set to include the MAC addresses of the first application (App1), the second application (App2), and the third application (App3) according to the connection order.

As another example, if you want to define a connection sequence that is transmitted from the source (External Source) to the destination (Sinker) via the first application (App1) and the third application, as in FIG. 4 (b) illustrated above, that Network chaining information may be set to include the MAC addresses of the first application (App1) and the third application (App3) according to the order of connection.

As another example, if it is desired to define a connection sequence from a source (External Source) to a destination (Sinker) via only the second application (App2), the second application as shown in FIG. 4 (c) illustrated above. Network chaining information can be set to include only the MAC address of (App2).

Furthermore, when the network chaining information is set, the processing unit 120 transfers data received from the source (External Source) according to the order of connection between the applications (App1, App2, and App3) according to the set network chaining information. App3) so that it can be sequentially transferred and processed (S120-S160).

At this time, the processing unit 120 sets the destination MAC address of the data to the MAC address of a specific application according to the connection order indicated by the network chaining information and delivers it to the specific application, and for the data processed in the specific application, the destination MAC address The address may be updated to a MAC address of another application that is adjacent to the specific application and then connected in order, and transmitted to the other application.

In particular, the processing unit 120 transfers data received from an external source in this data transfer process to the input port of the specific application, and obtains the data processed in the specific application from the output port of the specific application It is transferred to the input port of the other application.

For example, when the network chaining information indicates the connection order of the first application (App1), the second application (App2), and the third application (App3), as in FIG. 5 (a) illustrated above, the origin ( The destination MAC address of the data received from the external source is set to the MAC address of the first application and forwarded to the input port of the first application (App1), and the data processed by the first application (App1) has a destination MAC address. 2It is updated with the MAC address of the application (App2) and transferred from the output port of the first application (App1) to the input port of the second application (App2), and the data processed by the second application (App2) has a destination MAC address. 3 It can be updated with the MAC address of the application (App3) and transmitted from the output port of the second application (App2) to the input port of the third application (App3).

As another example, when a label added to a header field of data indicates a connection order of the first application App1 and the third application App3, as in FIG. 5 (b) illustrated above, the source (External The destination MAC address of the data received from Source is set as the MAC address of the first application, and the data is transmitted to the input port of the first application (App1). It can be updated with the MAC address of the application (App3) and transmitted from the output port of the first application (App1) to the input port of the third application (App3).

As another example, if the label added to the header field of the data indicates only the second application (App2), as in FIG. The destination MAC address may be set as the MAC address of the second application (App2) and transmitted to the input port of the second application (App2).

As such, in one embodiment of the present invention, it can be confirmed that data transmission between the applications (App1, App2, and App3) is performed on a network side separate from the applications (App1, App2, and App3). The connection combination between App2 and App3) and the resulting data flow can be dynamically changed without delay, and the application (App1, App2, App3) processes data received through the input port and exports the processed data through the output port. Since only is required, it can be seen that the implementation logic of the application can be minimized.

Thereafter, when data processing is completed between the applications (App1, App2, and App3) within the network, the processing unit 120 transfers the processed data to a destination (Sinker) (S160).

At this time, if the MAC address indicating the connection sequence between the applications (App1, App2, and App3) no longer exists on the network chaining information, the processing unit 120 performs data processing between the applications (App1, App2, and App3) in the network. It is regarded as completed, and the data processed in this way can be delivered from the output port of the application corresponding to the last connection sequence to the destination (sinker).

As described above, according to the operating method of the network data chaining device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a network in which virtual resource-based applications (App1, App2, and App3) are combined in a predefined connection order. Network chaining information related to is obtained from data received from the source (External Source), and based on this network chaining information, data received from the source (External Source) is connected between applications (App1, App2, App3) in the network. According to this, each application (App1, App2, App3) is sequentially transmitted and serially processed, and when data processing is completed between the applications (App1, App2, App3) in the network, the processed data is transmitted to the destination (Sinker). , As data transfer is performed at a network side separate from applications (App1, App2, App3), the combination of connections between applications (App1, App2, App3) and the resulting data flow can be dynamically changed without delay. Since only data processing is required in the stages (App1, App2, App3), the implementation logic of the application can be simplified as much as possible.

On the other hand, the operating method according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed through various computer means and recorded in a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc. alone or in combination. Program instructions recorded on the medium may be those specially designed and configured for the present invention or those known and usable to those skilled in computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, and magnetic media such as floptical disks. - includes hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program instructions, such as magneto-optical media, and ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, as well as machine language codes such as those produced by a compiler. The hardware devices described above may be configured to act as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the present invention, and vice versa.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and the technical field to which the present invention belongs without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the following claims. Anyone skilled in the art will extend the technical spirit of the present invention to the extent that various variations or modifications are possible.

According to the network data chaining device and the method of operating the network data chaining device according to the present invention, in relation to chaining technology for constructing a network by combining virtual resource-based applications in a predetermined connection order, connection combination between applications And in that the data flow can be dynamically changed, as it goes beyond the limits of the existing technology, not only the use of the related technology, but also the possibility of marketing or sales of the applied device is sufficient, and it can be clearly implemented in reality. This is an invention with industrial applicability.

100: network data chaining device
110: setting unit 120: processing unit

Claims (7)

a setting unit for setting network chaining information about network resources in which each virtual resource-based application is combined in a predefined connection order; and
Based on the network chaining information, a processing unit that sequentially transmits data to each application according to a connection order between applications in the network so that data is serially processed between applications;
The network chaining information,
Includes a MAC address for each application that is updated to indicate an application of each connection sequence according to a connection sequence defined between applications in the network;
The processing unit,
According to the connection order indicated by the network chaining information, the destination MAC address of the data is set to the MAC address of a specific application and delivered to the specific application, and for data processed in the specific application, the destination MAC address is set to the specific application MAC address. A network data chaining device characterized in that the MAC address of another application in the next connection order adjacent to is updated and transmitted to the other application. delete According to claim 1,
The processing unit,
The network data chaining device according to claim 1 , wherein the data is transmitted to an input port of the specific application, and data processed in the specific application is obtained from an output port of the specific application and transferred to an input port of another application. a setting step of setting network chaining information about network resources in which each virtual resource-based application is combined in a predefined connection order; and
Based on the network chaining information, a processing step of sequentially transferring data to each application according to a connection order between applications in the network so that data is serially processed between applications,
The network chaining information,
Includes a MAC address for each application that is updated to indicate an application of each connection sequence according to a connection sequence defined between applications in the network;
The processing step is
According to the connection order indicated by the network chaining information, the destination MAC address of the data is set to the MAC address of a specific application and delivered to the specific application, and for data processed in the specific application, the destination MAC address is set to the specific application MAC address. A method of operating a network data chaining device, characterized in that updating the MAC address of another application in the order of connection next to the next and transmitting it to the other application. delete According to claim 4,
The processing step is
Operation of the network data chaining device, characterized in that the data is transferred to the input port of the specific application, and the data processed in the specific application is acquired from the output port of the specific application and transferred to the input port of the other application. method. A program stored in a computer readable medium to execute the method of any one of claims 4 and 6, combined with hardware.