ALTO Server Traffic Localization Feedback

Solution Overview

Problem

Current Application-Layer Traffic Optimization (ALTO) methods risk over-localizing traffic, leading to suboptimal service quality for resource consumers, such as in live streaming applications, due to inadequate provisioning of traffic information that fails to balance ISP cost reduction and application performance.

Innovation Solution

Providing and using traffic information, specifically a current traffic localization degree, within the ALTO process to dynamically adapt resource provider selection guidance, preventing over-localization by frequent feedback from resource consumers or ISP measurements, ensuring optimal traffic localization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If traffic localization is increased to reduce ISP costs, then transmission costs are reduced, but service quality deteriorates due to over-localization preventing resource consumers from receiving necessary data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission costsVSAvoidservice quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where resource consumers report their localization experience and service quality metrics back to the ALTOServer. The server uses this feedback to dynamically adjust localization recommendations, preventing over-localization while maintaining cost efficiency. This closed-loop control allows the system to learn from actual performance and optimize the balance between cost reduction and service quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts localization strategies based on real-time conditions and feedback. Rather than applying static localization rules, the ALTOServer continuously adjusts resource provider recommendations based on changing network conditions, application requirements, and observed performance, allowing optimal adaptation between cost reduction and service quality maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If random peer selection is used in P2P applications, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but transmission costs increase due to lack of network layer locality consideration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation complexityVSAvoidtransmission costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The ALTOServer acts as an intermediary between resource consumers and resource providers. It receives localization information and feedback, processes this data, and generates optimized peer selection recommendations. This intermediary layer adds minimal complexity to the P2P application while significantly reducing transmission costs by guiding peers to select geographically or topologically close resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the selection parameters from completely random to partially guided based on localization metrics. By introducing localization degree as a new parameter and adjusting its weight in the selection process, the system achieves cost reduction without requiring complete redesign of the P2P peer selection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If ALTOTM information is used to localize data exchange, then ISP costs are reduced, but service quality deteriorates due to dangerous over-localization risks

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveISP costsVSAvoidservice quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where resource consumers report their localization experience and service quality metrics back to the ALTOServer. The server uses this feedback to dynamically adjust localization recommendations, preventing over-localization while maintaining cost efficiency. This closed-loop control allows the system to learn from actual performance and optimize the balance between cost reduction and service quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial localization rather than complete localization to avoid the harmful effects of over-localization. By controlling the degree of localization and not forcing all traffic to be localized, the system achieves sufficient cost reduction while maintaining service quality thresholds, effectively applying 'less is more' principle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9392056B2Method for operating a network and a network

Publication Date: 2016.07.12 NEC CORP

AI summary

The invention is directed to a network, and method for operating a network, for allowing an effective traffic localization within an Application-Layer Traffic Optimization (ALTO), wherein an ALTO process is performed with regard to at least one application or resource consumer, and traffic information with respect to the at least one application or resource consumer will be provided and used within the ALTO process.