Broadband Network Usage Management via Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Broadband network service providers face challenges in managing bandwidth effectively, as a small percentage of heavy users can negatively impact all subscribers during peak times, and existing solutions are either punitive or inadequate in addressing unintentional high usage due to malware infections.
Innovation Solution
A Network Control System that integrates network configuration, administrative, and security management functions to monitor subscriber usage, offering premium services, incentivizing off-peak usage, and implementing security measures to minimize unintended usage, while detecting and mitigating security incidents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bandwidth management curtails heavy users during peak times, then network performance for most subscribers is improved, but heavy users cannot access network services they need
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts bandwidth allocation based on real-time network conditions and user behavior patterns. During peak times, bandwidth is automatically redistributed from heavy users to ensure overall network performance, while during off-peak times, heavy users regain full access. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making bandwidth allocation flexible rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of bandwidth allocation based on temporal patterns and user classification. By identifying heavy users and analyzing their usage patterns, the system applies different bandwidth parameters at different times - restricting during peak periods and allowing full access during off-peak periods. This parameter change approach maintains reliability while preserving adaptability.
2Reliability
If subscribers are prevented from accessing the network due to malware infection, then network security is improved, but the subscriber cannot remediate the infection without internet access
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying a uniform network-wide restriction, the system applies localized quality control by identifying and isolating only the infected terminal or subscriber account. The infection remediation capability is provided specifically to the affected user through controlled access, while the rest of the network maintains full security. This local quality approach resolves the contradiction by targeting security measures precisely rather than broadly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism that provides controlled internet access to infected subscribers through a secure gateway or sandboxed environment. This intermediary allows necessary remediation activities (downloading antivirus updates, accessing security portals) while preventing the malware from communicating with external command servers or affecting other network users. The intermediary thus enables repair while maintaining security.
3Reliability
If network infrastructure capacity is increased to accommodate peak usage, then service reliability is improved, but infrastructure costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary classification of users into heavy and light categories based on historical usage patterns before peak periods arrive. By pre-identifying heavy users and their typical usage patterns, the system can proactively manage bandwidth allocation during peak times without needing to provision additional infrastructure capacity. This preliminary action allows the network to maintain reliability for all users while avoiding the need to build excess capacity that would only be utilized temporarily.
Data Source
AI summary
A process for managing usage on a broadband network, said process comprising: (a) monitoring a subscriber's broadband usage; (b) determining if said usage rises to a level indicative of an event; (c) determining if said event is consistent with heavy usage or with a security incident; (d) if said event is consistent with heavy usage, offering said subscriber at least one of a plan for an upgraded subscription, or an incentive to concentrate usage in nonpeak time; and (e) if said event is consistent with a security incident, exercising security measures to minimize unintended usage.