Centralized Traffic Controller for Dynamic Path Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current internet traffic management systems face congestion issues due to reliance on shortest path metrics, which can lead to impractical data storage and processing demands, limited path selection, and lack of flexibility in routing decisions.
Innovation Solution
A centralized network traffic controller paradigm that allows applications to query for optimal paths based on global network conditions, using Software-Defined Networking (SDN) architecture to create and manage network views, enabling flexible path selection and resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If every network device stores all available paths to a destination, then path selection flexibility is improved, but data storage requirements and processing complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized path computation element (PCE) as an intermediary that computes and distributes path information to network devices. This mediator handles the complex path computation and storage centrally, allowing individual network devices to store only the paths relevant to their specific traffic flows rather than all possible paths to all destinations, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining path selection flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the path computation function from the data plane (network devices) to the control plane (centralized PCE). This dimensional separation allows path computation to be performed in advance and distributed to devices, reducing the real-time processing burden on network devices while enabling flexible path selection based on global network state information.
2Productivity
If routing protocols use shortest distance metrics, then routing efficiency is improved, but network congestion occurs on overloaded paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic path computation that adapts to changing network conditions. The centralized PCE continuously monitors network state and computes paths based on current congestion levels, link capacities, and traffic demands. This allows the system to dynamically adjust paths away from congested routes while maintaining efficient routing, resolving the contradiction between routing efficiency and congestion avoidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where network devices report link utilization and congestion status to the centralized PCE. The PCE uses this feedback information to compute alternative paths that avoid congested links, thereby maintaining routing efficiency while preventing network overload. The feedback loop enables continuous optimization of path selection based on actual network conditions.
3Loss of time
If path determination is tied to packet forwarding at the source, then forwarding decisions are made early, but application influence on forwarding is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the path determination process into two independent phases: (1) application-level path selection based on service requirements, and (2) detailed path computation by the centralized PCE. This segmentation allows applications to express their forwarding preferences and requirements independently, while the PCE computes the actual paths considering global network state. The separation enables both early path determination and application influence on forwarding decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for internet traffic management, comprising receiving a request for a path set from an application at a network traffic controller, wherein the request contains an intended traffic destination endpoint, evaluating a plurality of network devices in a network, identifying a plurality of paths usable by the application to transmit traffic from the application to the intended traffic destination endpoint, including the plurality of paths in the path set, and sharing the path set with the application.