Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.

Other

Rhett Smith

Dennis Gammel

Jason A Dearien

Josh Powers

Kylan T Robinson

Marc Ryan Berner

Ryan Bradetich

Tristan Lloyd Mullis

Robert Meine

George W Masters

David M Buehler

Barry Jakob Grussling

Edmund O Schweitzer, Iii

Bogdan Zdzislaw Kasztenny

David E Whitehead

Colin Gordon

Christopher Ewing

Glenn C Bethmann

Mark Weber

Lance G Dice

Grant O Boomer

Nathan Paul Kipp

Kimberly Ann Yauchzee

Paul A Belussi

This disclosure pertains to identifying and configuring an in-band controller operating on a host in a software defined network (SDN), the host configured to use a parallel redundancy protocol (PRP). In one embodiment, a system may include a network in communication with the host, the network comprising a plurality of switches interconnected with a plurality of physical links. The in-band controller is in communication with the network and includes a PRP identification subsystem to generate a packet configured such that the network forwards the packet back to the in-band controller, to analyze the packet and determine that the packet conforms to PRP, and to identify a first communication host in communication with the network and configured to operate using PRP. A traffic routing subsystem of the in-band controller may create a plurality of PRP communication flows between the in-band controller and the first communication host.

Incorporation of parallel redundancy protocol in a software defined network

Detection of in-band software defined network controllers using parallel redundancy protocol

The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for automating the configuration of a software defined network ('SDN'). In one embodiment, a system may include a first communication host and a second communication host configured to transmit information to the first communication host. A network may provide communication between the first communication host and the second communication host using a plurality of network devices. An SDN controller in communication with the network may include an approved service subsystem to match the communication with an approved service. The SDN controller may also include an analysis subsystem configured to identify a communication flow corresponding to information transmitted by the second communication host to the first communication host. A traffic routing subsystem of the SDN controller may create the communication flow identified by the analysis subsystem between the second communication host and the first communication host.

Automated communication flow discovery and configuration in a software defined network

A software-defined network controller (SDN controller) defines a first network flow to be selectively implemented by a networking device according to a first network operation profile. The SDN controller defines a second network flow to be selectively implemented by the networking device according to a second network operation profile. A memory device of the networking device may store at least first and second network operation profiles for selective implementation during defined event windows. The event window(s) may be defined by start event inputs and stop event inputs. The event inputs may include, without limitation, a combination of parameter-based inputs and/or temporal inputs. In one specific embodiment, the networking device detects a network event and modifies a network operation profile for a preset time period and/or until an interrupt or stop event is detected.

Event-based flow control in software-defined networks

This disclosure pertains to identifying a host using parallel redundancy protocol (PRP) and properly configuring communication circuits for the device in a software defined network (SDN). In one embodiment, a system includes a network in communication with a first communication host and a second communication host, the network comprising a plurality of switches interconnected with a plurality of physical links. An SDN controller in communication with the network includes a PRP identification subsystem to identify PRP traffic from the first communication host and destined for the second communication host. The SDN controller generates a first address resolution protocol (ARP) message directed to the second communication host and receive a first response from the second communication host to the ARP message that conforms to PRP. Based on the response, a traffic routing subsystem provisions communication flows between the first communication host and the second communication host to route PRP traffic.

Detection of active hosts using parallel redundancy protocol in software defined networks

The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods of handling Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) responses in a software defined network (SDN). In one embodiment, a system may comprise a controller in a control plane to generate an address store comprising information associated with a plurality of devices in communication with the SDN. The controller may also program a plurality of network devices in a data plane based on a plurality of communication flows. The network devices may forward traffic according to the plurality of communication flows received from the controller. The network device may also receive: a request from the first device for information associated with the second device, determine that the first device is authorized to communicate with the second device based on the plurality of communication flows, and generate a response to the request comprising the information associated with the second device based on the address store.

Address resolution protocol response handling

The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for generation of a physical and logical design of a software defined network (SDN). In one embodiment, a system may receive a plurality of user-provided parameters associated with a plurality of performance requirements of the SDN. A library may include performance metrics of a plurality of devices comprised in the SDN. An SDN design subsystem may generate the physical and logical design of the SDN based on the user-provided parameters and the performance metrics of the devices in the library. A traffic routing subsystem may generate a plurality of communication flows based on the logical design of the physical and logical design and to be implemented by the SDN. An SDN simulation subsystem may generate an assessment of the physical and logical design of the SDN and the plurality of communication flows in comparison to the user-provided parameters.

Automated convergence of physical design and configuration of software defined network

The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods of monitoring communication devices and communication links in a software-defined network (SDN). Network packets may be colored or tagged for routing to a packet analyzer. A VLAN bitmask may be added to a packet to identify the packet for inspection and, optionally, provide origin information identify a switch and/or port of origin. Port mirroring may be utilized and/or eventual routing of network packets to their original destination may ensure that network traffic is not disrupted. In one example, a most significant bit of a VLAN bitmask may be used by a match rule to identify packets intended for a packet analyzer without regard to original packet routing instructions and/or packet content.

Selective port mirroring and in-band transport of network communications for inspection

A software-defined network controller (SDN controller) defines a first network flow to be selectively implemented by a networking device according to a first network operation profile. The SDN controller defines a second network flow to be selectively implemented by the networking device according to a second network operation profile. A memory device of the networking device may store at least first and second network operation profiles for selective implementation based on network packet characteristic matching and/or a 'trigger alarm' event. The first network operation profile is implemented when an incoming network packet matches a pre-defined and/or customizable network packet characteristic match template. The second network operation profile is implemented when a 'trigger alarm' event is received. A network operation profile may execute a write action to latch, or otherwise trigger, a physical alarm of a networking device or associated device.

Trigger alarm actions and alarm-triggered network flows in software-defined networks

The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for selectively encrypting data flows within a software defined network (SDN). In one embodiment, a communication device may be configured to receive a plurality of unencrypted data packets. The communication device may receive from an SDN controller a criterion used to identify at least one of the unencrypted data flows to be encrypted. Based on the criterion, an encryption subsystem may generate an encrypted data flow the unencrypted data packets based on an encryption key. In some embodiments, the encryption system may parse the packets and encrypt the data payloads without encrypting the routing information associated with the packet. In other embodiments, the encryption subsystem may be configured to encapsulate and encrypt the entire unencrypted data packet. In some embodiments, the encryption subsystem may further be configured to authenticate a sending device and/or to verify the integrity of a message.

Communication device for implementing selective encryption in a software defined network

The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for automating the configuration of communication hosts in a software defined network (SDN) associated with an electric power transmission and distribution system. The systems and methods presented herein may utilize communication host profiles to specify various repeatable attributes and customizable attributes that may be utilized to configure the communication host and the SDN. In one embodiment, a system may comprise a communication host profile subsystem configured to select a communication host profile associated with a communication host. The host communication profile subsystem may configure the communication host based on one or more repeatable attributes and on one or more customizable attributes specified in the host communication profile. A traffic routing system may further configure a plurality of communication flows in the SDN based on the communication host based on the host communication profile.

Communication host profiles

A software-defined network controller (SDN controller) defines a first network flow to be selectively implemented by a networking device according to a first network operation profile. The SDN controller defines a second network flow to be selectively implemented by the networking device according to a second network operation profile. The first and second network operation profiles are stored within a memory of the networking device to be selectively implemented based on the status of a profile selection input on the networking device. The profile selection input is a contact input in some embodiments. When the contact input is de-asserted, the networking device implements the first network flow according to the first network operation profile. When the contact input is asserted, the networking device implements the second network flow according to the second network operation profile.

Network management via a secondary communication channel in a software defined network

A software-defined network controller (SDN controller) defines a first network flow to be selectively implemented by a networking device according to a first network operation profile. The SDN controller defines a second network flow to be selectively implemented by the networking device according to a second network operation profile. The first and second network operation profiles are stored within a memory of the networking device to be selectively implemented during different time periods based on a precision time input via a precision time input port on the networking device. In some embodiments, the networking device may detect a network event and implement a network operation profile for a preset time period based on the precision time input.

Time-based network operation profiles in a software-defined network

The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods of monitoring communication devices and communication links in a software defined network (SDN). In one embodiment, a system may include a communications interface configured to receive a plurality of ingress packets. A forwarding subsystem may match a subset of the plurality of ingress packets with the data flow and forwarding the subset of the plurality of ingress packets based on a first instruction set associated with the data flow. A statistical information subsystem may update a meter count associated with the subset of the plurality of ingress packets matched with the data flow. A logic engine configured to determine that the meter count fails to satisfy a threshold, change a port link state based on the failure to satisfy the threshold; and transition from the first instruction set to a second instruction set associated with the flow data.

Growing community of inventors

Kuna, ID, United States of America

Rhett Smith