Network Congestion Measurement via Delimitation Packets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current congestion monitoring methods in networks are sub-optimal, failing to provide real-time congestion status measurements at the millisecond level required for effective traffic adjustment on a data plane.

Innovation Solution

A congestion measurement method and network node that utilize delimitation packets to set and collect statistics on congestion status intervals, allowing for accurate and timely measurement of network congestion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional congestion monitoring methods are used, then network monitoring is performed, but measurement accuracy is insufficient for millisecond-level traffic adjustment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecongestion measurement accuracyVSAvoidresponse time for congestion detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring delimitation packets with timestamp information and interval parameters before congestion measurement begins. These packets are sent in advance to establish measurement boundaries, enabling the system to capture congestion status at precise millisecond intervals without delay when congestion occurs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical timing and measurement systems with a packet-based temporal marking system. Delimitation packets carry timestamp information that substitutes for traditional hardware timers, allowing software-based precise time measurement and congestion interval calculation without relying on mechanical timing components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If delimitation packets with timestamps are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecongestion status measurement precisionVSAvoidpacket processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The delimitation packets serve multiple functions simultaneously: they mark measurement intervals, carry timestamp information for time synchronization, identify congestion status, and provide reference points for statistics collection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate signaling mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving high measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter representation by encoding timestamp information and interval parameters directly within the packet structure rather than using separate control signals. This parameter integration simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining high measurement precision, as all necessary measurement data is contained within the standard packet format

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3975483B1Congestion measurement method and network node
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3975483B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3975483B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3975483B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application provides a congestion measurement method. The method includes: receiving a first delimitation packet, where the first delimitation packet includes a first identifier, and the first identifier is used to indicate a moment at which the second network node sends the first delimitation packet; collecting, based on the first delimitation packet, statistics about a congestion status of the first network node by using a first time interval as a periodicity, where the first time interval is a time interval at which the second network node sends two neighboring delimitation packets; and sending a first-type statistics packet to the second network node by using the first time interval as a periodicity.