Adaptive Load-Balancing via Traffic Feedback in Packet Processors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packet routing systems often lead to oversubscription issues where multiple source packet processors forward packets to the same destination packet processor, resulting in inefficient bandwidth utilization and potential packet drops due to the lack of awareness of non-local traffic flow rates.

Innovation Solution

Implementing adaptive load-balancing techniques by allowing source packet processors to exchange feedback messages containing traffic flow rate information, enabling them to update forwarding plane data structures and dynamically adjust the likelihood of selecting oversubscribed destination packet processors, thereby reducing the likelihood of packet drops and improving bandwidth utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple source packet processors forward packets to the same destination packet processor using traditional load-balancing, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but oversubscription occurs causing packet drops

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidpacket delivery reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where destination packet processors send load information back to source packet processors. This feedback loop enables sources to adjust their forwarding decisions based on current destination load conditions, preventing oversubscription while maintaining efficient bandwidth utilization through dynamic adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The load-balancing system transitions from static to dynamic operation. Forwarding plane data structures are updated in real-time based on feedback messages containing traffic flow rate information. This allows the system to adapt load distribution dynamically, redirecting traffic away from oversubscribed destinations while preserving high bandwidth utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If source packet processors use static forwarding plane data structures, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to traffic conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforwarding plane data structure complexityVSAvoidadaptability to traffic conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Forwarding plane data structures evolve from static to dynamic. The system maintains simple data structure formats while enabling real-time updates through feedback mechanisms. This allows the forwarding plane to adapt to changing traffic conditions without increasing structural complexity, as updates are performed through controlled modification of existing structures rather than fundamental redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The forwarding plane data structures update themselves automatically based on feedback messages received from destination packet processors. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external control systems, maintaining device simplicity while achieving high adaptability through autonomous adjustment of forwarding decisions based on real-time traffic conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If source packet processors are unaware of non-local traffic flow rates, then information exchange overhead is reduced, but load-balancing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation exchange overheadVSAvoidtraffic flow rate awareness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements targeted feedback mechanisms where destination packet processors provide load information to sources. This selective information exchange gives sources awareness of non-local traffic conditions without requiring comprehensive network-wide information gathering, maintaining low overhead while improving load-balancing precision through relevant feedback data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Feedback messages serve multiple functions: they inform sources of destination load conditions, enable dynamic load-balancing adjustments, and maintain network-wide awareness without requiring separate dedicated communication channels. This multi-functionality achieves precise traffic flow rate awareness while minimizing information exchange overhead through consolidated messaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3541028B1Adaptive load-balancing over a multi-point logical interface

Publication Date: 2021.04.28 JUNIPER NETWORKS INC

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AI summary

The techniques describe adaptive load-balancing based on traffic feedback from packet processors. In one example, a source virtual network node of the network device may determine whether a particular destination packet processor is or may become oversubscribed. For example, source packet processors of the source virtual network node may exchange feedback messages including traffic flow rate information. The source virtual network node may compute a total traffic flow rate and compare the total traffic flow rate with a bandwidth of the particular destination packet processor. In response to determining that the bandwidth of the destination packet processor is oversubscribed, the source virtual network node may update a forwarding plane data structure to reduce a likelihood of selecting the destination packet processor to which to forward packet flows.