Distributed Counters in Packet-Switched Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In distributed packet-switched systems, accurately counting and metering traffic across multiple devices is challenging due to the complexity of packet processing and the need for coordinated counter updates, which can lead to inefficiencies and errors.
Innovation Solution
A method and device configuration that statistically determine when to update a designated device with packet counting information, using a time wheel for time slot assignment and probability calculations to reduce the frequency of updates, allowing for efficient counting and metering of packet flows across distributed devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If packet counting information is updated frequently at each distributed device, then counting accuracy is improved, but communication traffic and memory access demands increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having distributed devices statistically determine whether to update packet counting information based on a probability threshold. Instead of updating every packet, only a statistical sample is transmitted to the designated device, reducing communication traffic while maintaining acceptable counting accuracy through probabilistic sampling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of update frequency from deterministic (every packet) to probabilistic (based on random number comparison with threshold). This parameter transformation allows the system to balance between counting accuracy and communication overhead by adjusting the probability threshold.
2Measurement precision
If packet counting information is updated frequently at each distributed device, then counting accuracy is improved, but device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces processing overhead by performing partial updates only when statistical conditions are met. The local counting engine maintains full packet counts locally but only transmits updates to the designated device when the probabilistic threshold is satisfied, reducing inter-device communication and remote processing requirements.
3Measurement precision
If distributed devices coordinate counter updates centrally, then counting accuracy is improved, but scalability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the counting function by designating one device as the central counting entity while other devices perform local statistical sampling. This segmentation allows the system to scale by adding more distributed devices without proportionally increasing the burden on the central designated device, as each distributed device independently performs statistical determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces statistical sampling as an intermediary mechanism between distributed devices and the designated device. Instead of direct one-to-one communication for every packet, the statistical sampling acts as a mediator that aggregates information locally before transmission, enabling the system to scale more efficiently.
4Productivity
If statistical determination is used to reduce update frequency, then communication efficiency is improved, but counting accuracy may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains feedback loops where the designated device receives periodic packet counting information from distributed devices based on statistical determination. This feedback mechanism allows the system to monitor and adjust counting accuracy while maintaining communication efficiency through probabilistic sampling.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for counting packets and bytes in a distributed packet-switched system. The method includes receiving a packet stream having at least one packet flow at a device of a packet-switched system having a plurality of distributed devices, statistically determining whether to update a designated device based on receipt of a packet belonging to the packet flow, and transmitting packet counting information to the designated device based on the statistical determination, where the designated device counts packets of the packet flow based on the packet counting information.