Cable Modem Load Balancing via Success and Fail Lists
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current load balancing techniques for network devices, such as cable modems, often result in service interruptions due to failures during channel reassignment, leading to compounded load imbalances and customer service disruptions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that uses success and fail lists to manage load balancing by recording and categorizing cable modem attempts, employing an age-out timer, and setting an exclude-count-threshold to optimize channel reassignment and reduce service disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cable modems are directed to change channels to balance load, then load balancing is improved, but service interruptions occur due to failures during channel reassignment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining success and fail lists that record historical channel reassignment outcomes. Before attempting a channel change, the CMTS checks these lists to identify modems that have successfully relocated or those whose channels should be avoided, thereby preparing necessary information in advance to prevent service interruptions during load balancing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms through success and fail lists that continuously track channel reassignment outcomes. The CMTS uses this feedback information to adjust future channel assignment decisions, avoiding channels that caused failures and prioritizing channels with successful transitions, thus improving both load balancing efficiency and service reliability
2Productivity
If many cable modems fail to register on new channels, then load imbalances compound, but continued attempts cause additional service interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by treating each cable modem's channel reassignment history individually through personalized success and fail lists. Each modem receives customized channel assignment recommendations based on its specific success/fail pattern, allowing the system to optimize channel utilization for each device while avoiding blanket failures that would compound load imbalances
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements partial action by selectively attempting channel reassignments only for modems that meet specific criteria (e.g., those not on fail lists, or those whose failure reasons have been resolved). This partial approach prevents excessive action on problematic modems while still achieving sufficient load balancing for successful candidates, thereby avoiding compounded failures and additional service interruptions
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods can be operable to provide improved load balancing for network devices. In some implementations, such systems and methods can operate to create success list and/or fail list for use in optimizing improved load balancing for network devices. In other implementations, such systems and methods can also operate to manage and remove entries from success list and/or fail list. The success list and/or fail list can be used to optimize load balancing thereby reducing or preventing interruption in service to customers.