Communications Scheduler for Fair Bandwidth Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The TCP/IP protocol's congestion control mechanism leads to unfair bandwidth allocation based on round trip time (RTT), resulting in slower data transmission for users sending data over longer distances, and inefficient packet buffering that can cause congestion and increased hardware costs.
Innovation Solution
A communications scheduler that determines metrics such as bandwidth for paths within a network, selects data flows based on these metrics, and prioritizes packet transmission to ensure fair and efficient data flow, overriding traditional TCP/IP behavior to maintain optimal throughput without packet loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If TCP/IP slow-start congestion control is used, then packet transmission avoids network congestion, but bandwidth allocation becomes unfair based on RTT
Solution Approach 1:
The scheduler implements local quality by treating different data flows differently based on their specific characteristics (RTT, bandwidth estimates) rather than applying uniform TCP/IP congestion control. Each flow receives customized transmission parameters that account for its specific network conditions, enabling fair bandwidth allocation while maintaining congestion avoidance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If TCP/IP protocol transmits packets slowly to avoid congestion, then network stability is maintained, but data transmission speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The scheduler applies dynamics by continuously adapting transmission parameters based on real-time network conditions and flow characteristics. Rather than using fixed slow-start rates, the system dynamically adjusts transmission speed for each flow based on its estimated bandwidth and RTT, achieving both stability and high speed.
3Reliability
If TCP/IP protocol uses packet buffering to control transmission, then congestion is managed, but hardware costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The scheduler replaces the mechanical packet buffering system with a software-based transmission control mechanism. Instead of relying on hardware buffers to manage congestion, the system uses intelligent scheduling algorithms that control packet transmission timing and rate, eliminating the need for expensive buffering hardware while maintaining congestion management capabilities.
4Reliability
If TCP/IP protocol waits for acknowledgments before transmitting packets, then data integrity is ensured, but transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The scheduler applies preliminary action by preparing packets for transmission in advance based on predicted network conditions and flow characteristics. Rather than waiting for acknowledgments before transmitting, the system pre-calculates optimal transmission parameters and queues packets for efficient delivery, maintaining data integrity while improving transmission efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for providing communications over a communications network includes a communications interface and a processor. The communications interface communicates over the communications network. The processor directs a communications scheduler to determine at least one metric for a path within the communications network. The processor also selects a data flow for the path and determines whether to transmit a packet in the selected data flow based on the at least one metric. The processor then directs a communications protocol handler to generate the packet for the selected data flow.