Dynamic Control Plane Traffic Rate Adjustment for LLN Congestion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Low Power and Lossy Networks (LLNs) face instability due to high control plane traffic, which adversely affects user traffic service levels, especially during user traffic spikes, leading to congestion and recursive adapt-and-reconfigure situations.

Innovation Solution

A management device proactively observes user traffic for signs of congestion and adjusts control plane traffic dynamically by reducing its transmission rate, putting the network in a 'Low Maintenance' mode to free up resources for user traffic, thereby maintaining network stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If control plane traffic is increased to quickly adapt to changing connectivity, then network adaptability is improved, but user traffic service level deteriorates due to congestion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork adaptabilityVSAvoiduser traffic service level

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control plane traffic rate is made dynamic by adjusting it based on observed network conditions. The management device monitors user traffic patterns and dynamically reduces control plane traffic rates during congestion periods, allowing the system to adapt its behavior to current network state rather than maintaining a fixed rate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by observing user traffic conditions and using this information to adjust control plane traffic rates. The management device continuously monitors network state and feeds this information back to modify control plane transmission rates, creating a closed-loop control system that balances adaptability with service quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If control plane traffic is reduced to improve user traffic service level, then user traffic reliability is improved, but network adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser traffic service levelVSAvoidnetwork adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than permanently reducing control plane traffic, the system dynamically adjusts the rate based on real-time conditions. When user traffic congestion is detected, control plane traffic is reduced; when conditions improve, control plane traffic can be increased again, maintaining both user service quality and long-term network adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The management device periodically observes user traffic conditions and adjusts control plane traffic rates in periodic cycles. This allows the system to temporarily reduce control plane traffic during congestion while maintaining the capability to restore full adaptability when conditions permit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If control plane traffic is increased during user traffic spikes, then routing adaptability is improved, but network stability deteriorates due to severe congestion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting adaptabilityVSAvoidnetwork stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system takes preliminary anti-action by reducing control plane traffic before congestion can severely impact network stability. The management device proactively monitors for signs of congestion and preemptively reduces control plane traffic rates to prevent the recursive instability that would otherwise occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides beforehand cushioning by reducing control plane traffic in advance during user traffic spikes. This creates a buffer or cushion of available bandwidth that prevents the severe congestion and instability that would result from allowing control plane traffic to compete with user traffic during high-demand periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS9225616B2Feedback-based tuning of control plane traffic by proactive user traffic observation

Publication Date: 2015.12.29 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

In one embodiment, a management device may determine whether user traffic in a computer network is suffering from insufficient network resources. In response to user traffic suffering from insufficient network resources, the device may then trigger the computer network to reduce control plane traffic. In another embodiment, a network device may transmit control plane traffic into a computer network at a first rate. In response to receiving instructions to reduce control plane traffic due to user traffic suffering from insufficient network resources, the device may then transmit control plane traffic into the computer network at a reduced second rate.