Distributed Traffic Shaping for Congestion in Shared-Media Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shared-media communication networks, such as Low Power and Lossy Networks (LLNs), face congestion issues due to diverse traffic characteristics of applications like sensor readings and firmware upgrades, leading to potential violations of service level agreements and delays in critical alarms, especially when different applications send traffic simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A device in the network determines the priority of packets and, upon reaching a threshold queuing time, requests neighboring nodes to temporarily reduce bandwidth utilization for lesser-priority traffic, enabling dynamic traffic shaping to ensure timely transmission of high-priority packets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple applications operate simultaneously over the network, then network functionality and application diversity are improved, but network congestion occurs leading to service level agreement violations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing differentiated bandwidth allocation and traffic shaping policies for different applications and traffic types. Each application receives customized quality parameters (bandwidth, delay, jitter) according to its specific requirements, allowing simultaneous operation of diverse applications while maintaining service level agreements through localized quality control mechanisms
2Reliability
If bandwidth is allocated to ensure timely transmission of critical packets, then Quality of Service for high-priority traffic is improved, but bandwidth utilization for other traffic is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic traffic shaping that adjusts bandwidth allocation in real-time based on network conditions and traffic priority. The system dynamically modifies queuing parameters, bandwidth limits, and shaping factors for different traffic flows, allowing critical packets to receive guaranteed bandwidth while maximizing overall network utilization through adaptive resource management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters such as bandwidth allocation, queuing depth, and transmission timing dynamically based on traffic priority and network state. By adjusting these parameters for different application flows, the system ensures Quality of Service for critical traffic while optimizing total bandwidth utilization across the network
3Loss of time
If traffic shaping is implemented to prioritize critical packets, then transmission timing for high-priority traffic is improved, but network device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments traffic into different priority queues and applies separate shaping policies to each segment. By dividing traffic flows based on application type and priority level, the system can apply simple, dedicated shaping rules to each segment rather than complex global optimization, reducing device complexity while achieving low latency for critical packets
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a device in a shared-media communication network determines a priority of a packet to be queued at the device, and based on the priority determines a length of time the packet is allowed to be queued before being successfully transmitted. After attempting to successfully transmit the queued packet within the shared-media communication network, in response to reaching a threshold amount of the length of time without having successfully transmitted the queued packet, the device may transmit a “shaping” request to one or more reachable neighbors in the shared-media communication network. Specifically, the shaping request is for a temporary reduction in bandwidth utilization by the reachable neighbors for traffic having a comparatively lesser priority than the priority of the packet.