Consensus-Based Network Dynamic Access Device Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computer networks, especially in IoT and IoE environments, there are challenges with uneven performance and utilization across devices due to varying battery life, Internet connection quality, reliability, and cost, which can change over time and differ across devices.
Innovation Solution
A consensus-based network system where devices share performance metrics to dynamically select a manager device and network access device, optimizing global performance metrics such as minimizing cost, power consumption, and maximizing connection stability and duration by routing all traffic through a single optimal device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all devices independently connect to the Internet, then each device has autonomous connectivity, but overall network performance becomes uneven and resource utilization becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple endpoint devices are merged into a single consensus-based network where they collectively select one network access device to represent the entire group for Internet connectivity. This combining approach improves resource utilization efficiency by consolidating connections while maintaining connectivity reliability through the consensus mechanism that dynamically selects the optimal device based on performance metrics.
Solution Approach 2:
The network access device serves multiple functions: it acts as the Internet gateway for all endpoint devices, performs traffic routing, and participates in consensus-based selection. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by allowing a single device to handle connectivity responsibilities for the entire network, improving overall resource efficiency while maintaining reliable access for all participants.
2Productivity
If a single device is selected as network access device, then resource utilization is optimized, but the system becomes more complex in selecting and managing the optimal device
Solution Approach 1:
The endpoint devices perform self-assessment of their own performance metrics (battery life, connection quality, processing capability) and share this information with the network. Each device autonomously determines its suitability as a network access device without requiring external management, thereby optimizing resource utilization while avoiding the complexity of centralized device selection and management.
Solution Approach 2:
Devices continuously monitor and report their performance metrics to the consensus-based network, creating a feedback loop that enables dynamic selection of the optimal network access device. This feedback mechanism resolves the complexity issue by using simple, measurable metrics that all devices can self-report, eliminating the need for complex evaluation algorithms while maintaining efficient resource utilization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If devices with poor performance metrics are used for Internet access, then device availability is maximized, but overall network performance and connection quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The network access device selection is dynamic rather than static, allowing the system to adapt to changing device performance metrics in real-time. Devices with poor performance metrics can remain available in the network, but the consensus mechanism dynamically selects the device with the best current performance, thereby maintaining high connection quality while preserving maximum device availability through flexible reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors changes in performance parameters (battery life, connection quality, processing capability) and uses these parameter changes to dynamically adjust the network access device selection. This approach resolves the contradiction by allowing all devices to remain available in the network while automatically selecting the device with optimal parameters, ensuring both high availability and connection quality.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technique includes establishing consensus among devices to share performance metrics data of those devices. An example of the devices includes endpoint devices that are owned or managed by a common entity. The devices form a consensus-based network. The devices are each operable to independently connect to an external network. A manager device of the devices dynamically selects which of the devices will operate like a network access device to route traffic between the devices and the external network. The network access device is selected by the manager device based on the performance metrics data to optimize a global performance metric of the consensus-based network.