Burst Packet Preload for ABW Estimation Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional available bandwidth estimation methods, such as PathChirp and PathCos++, face overestimation issues due to rate limiter bursting, especially in networks with capacity fluctuations, as they assume a stateless and capacity-invariant path, leading to inaccurate long-term bandwidth estimation.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves preloading the rate limiter with additional packets ahead of the chirp train to force it into its long-term mode, reducing the influence of short-term behavior and minimizing the size of the actual chirp train, thereby improving the accuracy of available bandwidth estimation by focusing on the long-term network path behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional available bandwidth estimation methods (PathChirp, PathCos++) are used, then the estimation process is simple and fast, but the accuracy deteriorates due to rate limiter bursting causing overestimation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by sending preload packets before the main probe train to force the rate limiter into long-term mode. This preparatory step ensures that when the actual bandwidth estimation probes are sent, the rate limiter is already in a stable state, preventing burst-induced overestimation. The preload packets are sent at a controlled rate to drain the rate limiter bucket, transitioning it from short-term to long-term behavior before the measurement begins.
2Measurement precision
If the probe train size is increased to capture long-term behavior, then the estimation accuracy improves, but the measurement time and network overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
By performing the rate limiter state transition in advance using preload packets, the patent eliminates the need for an excessively long probe train. The preliminary action of draining the rate limiter bucket allows the subsequent measurement phase to be completed quickly with a smaller probe train, as the rate limiter will remain in stable long-term mode throughout the measurement period.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement process is segmented into two distinct phases: a preload phase that prepares the rate limiter state, and a measurement phase that performs the actual bandwidth estimation. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently - the preload phase ensures accurate conditions for measurement, while the measurement phase can be completed efficiently with minimal packets.
3Reliability
If rate limiter bursting is accommodated in the estimation model, then the measurement remains simple, but the reliability deteriorates due to capacity fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent improves reliability by forcing the rate limiter into a predictable long-term state before measurement, eliminating the uncertainty of burst behavior. This preliminary state transition ensures that the measurement reflects true long-term capacity rather than short-term burst characteristics, making the estimation reliable without requiring complex models to account for bursting behavior.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for performing burst packet preloading for Available Bandwidth (ABW) estimation, that may include: preparing a chirp train to be used for ABW estimation, the chirp train comprising a quantity of original probe packets; determining a quantity of additional probe packets that will transition the network path from a short-term mode into a long-term mode; inserting the determined quantity of additional probe packets at the beginning of the chirp train; and transmitting the chirp train, including the determined quantity of additional probe packets on the network path, to a receiver that can perform ABW estimation of the network path.