Active Flow Counting with ECN Feedback for Network Congestion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for counting active data flows in networks inaccurately reflect the real status of data flow transmission due to reliance on fixed time windows, which fail to consider network congestion, leading to incorrect congestion control and bandwidth allocation.
Innovation Solution
A method that adjusts the count of active flows based on the congestion value determined by the ratio of data packets carrying an Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) identifier, where the congestion value is used to decide whether to increase or decrease the count of active flows, depending on the network congestion threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed time window method is used to count active flows, then the counting process is simple, but the counting accuracy deteriorates due to network congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ECN (Explicit Congestion Notification) feedback mechanism where network devices mark packets with congestion information. The receiver uses this feedback to adjust its active flow counting decisions, transitioning from simple fixed-window counting to congestion-aware counting that adapts to network conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter used for counting decisions from fixed time-window presence to dynamic ECN-based congestion indicators. By monitoring ECN-marked packets and adjusting the congestion threshold parameter, the system adapts its counting behavior to reflect actual network congestion states, improving accuracy without excessive complexity.
2Measurement precision
If congestion-aware counting is implemented using ECN markers, then the counting accuracy improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by counting only a subset of flows that meet specific ECN-based criteria rather than processing all flows equally. The receiver selectively adjusts counts based on ECN-marked packets from specific senders, avoiding the need to process and analyze every packet in the network, thus limiting complexity increase to only what's necessary for improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses ECN markers as an intermediary mechanism. Instead of directly measuring complex network congestion states or implementing sophisticated flow analysis, the system relies on intermediate ECN markings inserted by network devices to convey congestion information, simplifying the receiver's counting logic while improving accuracy.
3Speed
If the congestion threshold is set low, then the counting responds quickly to congestion, but false positives increase reducing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic threshold adjustment rather than using a fixed congestion threshold. The congestion threshold adapts based on network conditions, ECN marking rates, and flow characteristics. This dynamic approach allows the system to respond quickly to genuine congestion while filtering out false positives, balancing speed and accuracy based on real-time network state.
Data Source
AI summary
The method includes a first network device receives a first packet of a first group of data packets from a second network device, and increases a current quantity of active flows by 1, to obtain a first quantity of active flows, the first network device receives a last packet of the first group of data packets sent by the second network device, and determines a first congestion value based on a second quantity of data packets that carry an explicit congestion notification (ECN) identifier in the first group of data packets, and when the first congestion value is less than a congestion threshold, the first network device decreases the first quantity of active flows by 1, to obtain a third quantity of active flows, or when the first congestion value is greater than or equal to the congestion threshold, the first network device keeps the first quantity of active flows unchanged.