Adaptive Timeout for Network Device Presence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication networks, high data traffic can cause delays or loss of notification signals from network devices, leading to incorrect termination of communications due to predefined timeout periods, which are not adaptive to changing traffic conditions.
Innovation Solution
A network switch calculates an extended timeout period based on the time differences between consecutive notification signals, dynamically updating it to avoid misidentifying the presence of a cache engine during high traffic conditions, thereby reducing the likelihood of terminating communications with a present cache engine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a predetermined timeout period is used to identify network device presence, then the network switch can determine device absence and terminate communications, but notification signals may be delayed due to high data traffic causing incorrect termination of communications with present devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static predetermined timeout period to a dynamic adaptive timeout period. The timeout value is continuously adjusted based on the inter-arrival times of notification signals, allowing the system to adapt to changing traffic conditions. This resolves the contradiction by making the timeout period flexible enough to accommodate delayed signals during high traffic while still detecting genuine device absences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the timing information from received notification signals to continuously refine the timeout period. The system monitors the inter-arrival times of signals and uses this feedback to adjust the timeout value, creating a closed-loop control mechanism. This feedback approach allows the system to learn from actual signal patterns and adapt the timeout period accordingly, improving reliability without causing excessive delays.
2Reliability
If the timeout period is extended to accommodate delayed notification signals during high traffic, then fewer correct terminations occur, but the response time to detect actual device absence increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptive timeout period dynamically adjusts its duration based on observed signal patterns rather than using a fixed extended value. When traffic is light and signals arrive regularly, the timeout remains shorter for faster detection. When traffic increases and signal intervals lengthen, the timeout extends proportionally to prevent incorrect terminations. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing the timeout duration in real-time based on actual network conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the timeout parameter from a static predetermined value to a dynamic value that varies with network conditions. The timeout period is recalculated based on the inter-arrival times of notification signals, effectively changing the parameter according to the system's operational state. This parameter change allows the system to maintain short timeouts during normal operation for fast detection while extending them during high traffic to prevent false positives.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed predetermined timeout period is used, then the system is simple to implement, but it cannot adapt to changing traffic conditions causing incorrect presence identification
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by automatically adjusting its own timeout period based on the timing of received notification signals. The network switch monitors the inter-arrival times of signals and autonomously recalculates the timeout value without external intervention. This self-adjusting mechanism provides adaptability to changing traffic conditions while keeping the implementation relatively simple, as the system uses its own operational data to configure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback from the timing of notification signals to continuously adjust the timeout period. The system monitors the inter-arrival times of received signals and uses this information to refine the timeout value, creating a self-regulating mechanism. This feedback loop provides adaptability to traffic conditions while maintaining implementation simplicity, as the adjustment logic directly uses the timing information already being captured for presence detection.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and techniques relating to identifying the presence of a network device are described. A described technique includes receiving, from the cache engine, a traffic flow and a series of notification signals, each indicating a presence of the cache engine, calculating a timeout value based on at least a time difference of two consecutive notification signals of the series of notification signals, updating, based on the calculated timeout value, a predetermined timeout period to an updated timeout period, and determining an absence of the cache engine when the updated timeout period that immediately succeeds the receiving of the series of notification signals elapsed without receiving an additional notification signal from the cache engine.