Network Load Sharing via Dynamic Flow Factor Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network forwarding devices struggle to keep pace with new protocols and packet types, leading to uneven load sharing due to improper selection of flow characteristic elements, resulting in ineffective load balancing and inability to perform per-flow load sharing for new protocols like GTP.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for load sharing that involves extracting a factor field from the packet header of a classified data flow, using it as an input for a load sharing algorithm to calculate and send the data flow along optimal paths, allowing for uniform allocation and improved load balancing by selecting appropriate algorithms based on flow characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed flow characteristic element field method is used for load sharing, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to new protocols deteriorates and load balancing effectiveness worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic flow characteristic element selection by allowing the network forwarding device to adaptively choose different element fields based on the detected protocol type. Instead of using a fixed selection method, the device dynamically adjusts which flow characteristic elements (such as source IP, destination IP, port numbers, or protocol-specific fields) are used for load sharing decisions, enabling effective adaptation to new protocols like GTP while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters used for load sharing by allowing configuration of different flow characteristic element fields based on protocol type. The system can switch between using traditional IP quintuple fields and protocol-specific fields (like GTP TEID) depending on what is appropriate for the detected protocol, thereby improving adaptability without significantly increasing device complexity.
2Reliability
If protocol identification is performed to enable effective load sharing, then the load balancing effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases and difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple flow characteristic element field options and their corresponding protocols in advance. When a new protocol is detected, the device can quickly select from pre-defined configurations rather than performing complex real-time analysis, thereby improving load balancing effectiveness while limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a configuration table or mapping structure that links protocol types to appropriate flow characteristic element fields. This intermediary simplifies the detection and selection process by providing a direct lookup method, reducing both device complexity and the difficulty of detecting new protocols while maintaining effective load sharing.
3Reliability
If per-flow load sharing is implemented with proper protocol awareness, then the load balancing effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of detecting new protocols increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-defining protocol identifiers and their associated flow characteristic element fields in a configuration table. This allows the device to quickly identify new protocols through simple pattern matching or lookup operations rather than complex analysis, thereby improving load balancing effectiveness while reducing the difficulty of detecting and adapting to new protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of load sharing, includes: extracting a factor field capable of distinguishing data flow in a packet header of the classified data flow, and taking the factor field as an input factor of a default load sharing algorithm of a network forwarding device interface, or taking the factor field as an input factor of a load sharing algorithm capable of uniformly allocating the data flows and selected according to the flow characteristic of the data flows, calculating the paths of the data flows, and forwarding the data flows according to respective paths. The method is used for increasing the expansibility of the network forwarding device and achieving load balancing.