Client Firewall Bandwidth Control for Network Quality of Service
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for effective management, deployment, and enforcement of different quality of service policies across multiple client applications deployed on various client computers in packet-switched networks, as existing solutions fail to adequately regulate network bandwidth based on application type or categorization.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced that identifies and restricts bandwidth for software applications by accessing network access policies, either locally or remotely, and regulates network connections through client firewalls, ensuring compliance with predetermined quotas and time-based restrictions, utilizing a threat management facility to enforce corporate policies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If quality of service policies are applied to different client applications, then network performance is optimized, but device complexity increases due to the need for application identification and policy enforcement mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
A client firewall acts as an intermediary component that identifies applications and enforces quality of service policies. The firewall intercepts network traffic, determines the source application, and applies appropriate bandwidth restrictions based on policy rules, thereby optimizing network performance without requiring complex modifications to each application or the operating system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments network traffic by application source, creating distinct policy enforcement paths for different applications. Each application's network communications are identified and routed through specific policy evaluation logic, allowing differentiated quality of service treatment while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular policy structures.
2Productivity
If bandwidth restrictions are enforced at the client firewall, then network utilization is optimized, but ease of operation decreases due to the need for policy configuration and management
Solution Approach 1:
The client firewall automatically identifies applications attempting network communication and self-determines the appropriate quality of service policy to apply based on pre-configured rules. The system performs automatic application identification, policy matching, and bandwidth restriction enforcement without requiring manual intervention for each connection, thereby optimizing network utilization while maintaining ease of operation through automation.
3Reliability
If application-specific quality of service policies are implemented, then network security is enhanced, but loss of information increases due to the need for monitoring and controlling application network access
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies quality of service restrictions that are sufficient to enforce security policies and control bandwidth usage, but not so restrictive as to completely block legitimate network communications. The client firewall monitors application network access and applies appropriate restrictions while allowing authorized data transmission, thereby enhancing network security while minimizing information loss through calibrated enforcement levels.
Data Source
AI summary
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for improving network quality of service, such as through controlling the bandwidth consumed by a client computing facility. To affect this, the software applications operating through the client computing facility may be identified to determine which applications are requesting network access, and confirming which are permitted only restricted bandwidth when making network communications. The requesting software application that is permitted only restricted bandwidth may then be allowed to make the network communications through a bandwidth restricted network connection.