Dynamic Buffer Allocation for Lossless Network Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing resources to provide lossless operation over long-distance links in Ethernet networks is challenging due to bandwidth delay product exceeding buffer resources, requiring complex buffer allocation and frequent pause signals, which affects link utilization and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method that measures delay between transmitter and receiver to determine the minimum absorption buffer size for lossless transmission, allocating or reclaiming buffer units based on available storage, and implementing rate-limiting if necessary, to optimize bandwidth and buffer resources dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flow control mechanisms are implemented to enable lossless transmission, then packet loss is prevented, but large amounts of buffering resources are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic buffer allocation where the buffer size is adjusted based on the measured round-trip delay and bandwidth delay product. Instead of allocating fixed large buffers, the system calculates the minimum required buffer size dynamically using the formula: buffer_size = bandwidth_delay_product - available_buffer, allowing buffers to adapt to changing network conditions and reducing overall buffer requirements while maintaining lossless operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of buffer size from a static large allocation to a dynamic value determined by network measurements. By measuring round-trip delay and calculating bandwidth delay product, the system determines the optimal buffer size parameter, transforming the buffer resource requirement from a fixed large quantity to a calculated minimum necessary amount
2Quantity of substance
If buffer resources are limited, then resource efficiency is improved, but lossless operation cannot be supported over long-distance links
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system measures the round-trip delay between transmitter and receiver, calculates the bandwidth delay product, and uses this feedback information to determine the appropriate buffer allocation. This closed-loop feedback allows the system to adapt buffer resources to the actual link characteristics, enabling lossless operation over long-distance links with limited buffer resources by precisely matching buffer size to the measured network conditions
3Reliability
If complex buffer allocation mechanisms are used, then lossless operation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service buffer allocation where each endpoint autonomously measures its own round-trip delay, calculates its bandwidth delay product, and determines its required buffer size without requiring complex centralized control or coordination with other network devices. This self-service approach reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for complex allocation mechanisms while achieving lossless operation through autonomous local decision-making
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided in one example embodiment that includes measuring a delay between a transmitter and a receiver in a network environment, where the receiver is associated with a buffer. A minimum absorption buffer size for lossless transmission to a queue may be determined based on the delay and a transmission bandwidth, and buffer units for the queue can be allocated based on the minimum absorption buffer size. The transmitter may also be rate-limited if the minimum absorption buffer size exceeds available storage of the buffer. In other embodiments, buffer units can be reclaimed if the available buffer storage exceeds the minimum absorption buffer size.