Bandwidth Allocation Control for Fairness Under Network Contention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bandwidth allocation mechanisms in communications networks fail to ensure fair distribution of data volume, particularly when abnormal high-demanding or abusing users are present, leading to discrimination against other users.
Innovation Solution
A system that dynamically adjusts bandwidth allocation by reducing the scheduler weight and increasing the shaper rate for heavy users, ensuring fair distribution and maintaining download speed for all users through closed-loop automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If Weighted Fair Queue (WFQ) scheduler components are used to allocate bandwidth proportionally to client weights, then bandwidth distribution is fair among active clients, but heavy users with abnormal high demand can discriminate against other users by consuming excessive bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors bandwidth consumption patterns of users. When a user exceeds their fair share or exhibits abnormal consumption behavior, the system detects this through telemetry data and adjusts their weight dynamically. This feedback loop prevents heavy users from discriminating against others by reducing their allocated bandwidth when abuse is detected, while restoring full allocation when behavior returns to normal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the WFQ scheduler weights dynamic rather than static. Weights are adjusted in real-time based on observed user behavior patterns. Normal users receive their full entitled weight, while users exhibiting heavy or abusive consumption patterns have their weights reduced temporarily. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting bandwidth allocation to actual usage patterns, preventing discrimination while maintaining fairness.
2Quantity of substance
If scheduler weight is reduced for heavy users to prevent bandwidth abuse, then other users receive more fair bandwidth distribution, but the heavy user's download speed is penalized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the weight parameter dynamically based on usage patterns rather than applying a static reduction. When a user exhibits abnormal heavy consumption, their weight is temporarily adjusted downward to ensure fairness to other users. However, this parameter change is reversible - when the user's behavior returns to normal patterns, their weight is restored to the full entitled value, thereby maintaining their download speed without permanent penalty.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies periodic monitoring and temporary weight adjustments rather than permanent penalties. The system continuously observes user behavior and applies weight reductions only during periods of abnormal consumption. This periodic action allows heavy users to maintain full speed during normal usage while ensuring fairness during abusive periods, resolving the contradiction between fairness and speed.
3Productivity
If bandwidth is allocated based on historical utilization and network contention, then efficient resource utilization is achieved, but complex monitoring and adjustment mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service monitoring system where users provide their own telemetry data about their bandwidth consumption patterns. This user-provided data serves as input for the weight adjustment algorithm, eliminating the need for complex network-wide monitoring infrastructure. The system processes this self-reported data to automatically adjust weights, achieving efficient resource utilization with minimal additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lightweight intermediary component that sits between the WFQ scheduler and the weight adjustment logic. This intermediary receives usage telemetry, applies simple rules to detect abnormal patterns, and adjusts weights accordingly. By mediating between raw data and scheduling decisions, it achieves efficient resource allocation without requiring complex monitoring systems throughout the network.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (201) comprises means for: obtaining an indication of contention (105) of a communications network (101); obtaining a historical bandwidth utilization indication parameter (302) of respective participants of the communications network (101) ; in response to determining, based on the indication of contention and the historical bandwidth utilization indication, that a participant meets an intensive capacity consumption condition, providing a reduced value of a scheduler parameter (304) and an increased value of a maximum bandwidth parameter (303) to an output of the apparatus (201), wherein the scheduler parameter and the maximum bandwidth parameter are related to allocating bandwidth to the participant meeting the intensive capacity consumption condition, wherein the scheduler parameter represents a proportion of a capacity of the communications network allocated to the participant when the communications network is congested, wherein the maximum bandwidth parameter represents a maximum bandwidth allocated to the participant.