Dynamic Bandwidth Control via Packet Marking on Variable Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current QoS mechanisms in client and server networks run uncoordinated processes, leading to waste of network resources, and existing methods for managing bandwidth on variable radio links require specific hardware and software implementations and only manage physical ports, not logical interfaces like VLAN sub-interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A method where best effort packets are marked with control codes in a predetermined sequence, allowing routers to adjust bandwidth dynamically based on feedback codes indicating missing values, without requiring specific hardware or software on radio transceivers, and applied on a sub-interface basis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If QoS mechanisms are implemented in client and server networks independently, then each network can manage its own bandwidth, but network resources are wasted due to uncoordinated processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the server network element monitors the actual bandwidth available on the radio link and sends feedback information to the client network element. This allows the client to adjust its bandwidth allocation decisions based on real-time conditions, coordinating QoS management across both networks and eliminating resource waste from uncoordinated independent management.
2Ease of operation
If specific hardware and software are implemented on radio transceivers for bandwidth management, then bandwidth control on variable links is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex bandwidth management functionality from the radio transceiver hardware and relocates it to the network elements (client and server). The radio link is treated as a transparent transmission medium, and bandwidth control is achieved through packet marking and feedback mechanisms at the network layer, eliminating the need for specialized transceiver hardware or software.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces network elements as intermediaries between the data sources and the radio link. These network elements perform the bandwidth management functions through packet marking with control codes and feedback processing, acting as mediators that coordinate bandwidth allocation without requiring modifications to the radio transceivers themselves.
3Ease of manufacture
If bandwidth management is applied on physical ports only, then implementation is simpler, but finer granularity control on logical interfaces like VLAN sub-interfaces is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by implementing bandwidth management independently on each logical interface (VLAN sub-interface) rather than treating the physical port as a single unit. Each VLAN sub-interface can be marked with different control codes and have its own bandwidth allocation, enabling fine-grained control while maintaining implementation simplicity through the standardized packet marking mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a bandwidth over a communication link connecting first and second client network elements. The first element is configured to send to the second element data traffic including at least a best effort traffic flow of packets. The method includes: at the first element, marking a number of best effort packets with a control code, the control code taking values within a predetermined ordered control sequence of values, and sending the marked packets to the second element through the link; at the second element, checking the control code of each marked best effort packet and, in case of detection of a missing value of the control code, sending to the first element a packet containing a feedback code indicative of an adjustment of the bandwidth; and, at the first element, upon reception of the feedback code, adjusting the bandwidth.