Cycle-Based Load Balancing for Deterministic Network Jitter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional load balancing in network systems cannot effectively meet strict end-to-end requirements for jitter and delay, especially in deterministic networking, and fails to handle network failures and bursts efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A network device and method for cycle-based load balancing that determines output based on input cycle identifiers, load distribution indicators, and failure or burst conditions, allowing for efficient routing and scheduling of packets across multiple paths and cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional load balancing (hash-based splitting or WCMP) is used to distribute traffic over multiple paths, then network utilization is improved, but strict end-to-end requirements regarding jitter and delay cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the forwarding behavior adaptive to the arrival cycle of packets. Instead of static hash-based routing, the system dynamically selects output ports based on the input cycle identifier, allowing the same flow to be routed differently in different cycles to balance load while maintaining deterministic timing characteristics within each cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension for load balancing by incorporating time (cycle-based) into the routing decision. Rather than only spatial distribution across paths, the system uses the temporal dimension of packet arrival cycles to determine forwarding behavior, enabling load balancing that respects deterministic timing requirements.
2Reliability
If a single path is used to route all packets from the same flow, then end-to-end jitter and delay requirements are met, but network utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts path selection based on the input cycle identifier. For packets arriving in different cycles, different output ports and paths can be selected, enabling load distribution across multiple paths while maintaining deterministic behavior within each cycle. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between single-path reliability and multi-path utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the forwarding decisions by cycle, creating distinct forwarding behaviors for different arrival cycles. This segmentation allows the system to distribute traffic across multiple paths in a controlled manner, improving network utilization while maintaining deterministic characteristics within each segment (cycle).
3Productivity
If conventional load balancing is implemented on a per-path level, then traffic can be split over multiple paths, but no solution exists for load balancing of deterministic network traffic with strict end-to-end requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal load balancing mechanism that handles both conventional traffic and deterministic traffic with strict requirements. By using cycle-based forwarding rules that can be configured for different traffic types, the system provides multi-functionality, supporting ECMP-like load balancing for non-deterministic traffic while ensuring deterministic behavior for time-critical flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter used for load balancing from traditional hash-based flow identification to cycle-based timing information. This parameter change enables the system to differentiate between deterministic and non-deterministic traffic, applying appropriate forwarding strategies for each type while maintaining a unified load balancing framework.
4Reliability
If flow tables or segment routing policies are used to control packet forwarding, then deterministic QoS is achieved, but device complexity increases due to forwarding rules installation in all intermediary devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex forwarding rule installation from intermediary devices and concentrates it in the ingress device. The ingress device performs cycle-based load balancing decisions using simplified rules, while intermediary devices only need to forward packets based on their arrival cycle without requiring complex flow table installations. This extraction reduces device complexity in the network core while maintaining deterministic QoS.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the cycle identifier as an intermediary element that carries timing information through the network without requiring complex processing at each hop. This intermediary mechanism enables deterministic forwarding behavior while keeping intermediary device complexity low, as they only need to preserve and forward the cycle identifier information.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to the field of transport networks, packet-based network systems, and load balancing in such network systems. More specifically, the load balancing is performed on a network cycle level. The present disclosure provides a network device for cycle-based load balancing, configured to obtain a load balancing policy comprising an input cycle identifier and an associated output identifier. The network device is further configured to obtain a network packet in an input cycle of the network device, determine an output of the network device based on the input cycle, the input cycle identifier, and the associated output identifier, and provide the network packet to the output of the network device.