Dynamic Routing Link Cost Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication networks face complexity in efficiently routing data due to varying path properties like capacities and latencies, leading to potential inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dynamic routing protocol that calculates link costs based on latency and inversely related bandwidth factors, favoring bandwidth over latency within certain thresholds, to identify and utilize the lowest cost communication paths for data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If network devices consider various capabilities of communication paths (capacities, latencies) to transmit data efficiently, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but routing complexity increases and becomes difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms multiple path capabilities (bandwidth, latency, reliability) into a single composite metric called 'link cost'. Each link's cost is calculated by combining these parameters into one value, allowing network devices to make routing decisions based on simple cost comparison rather than complex multi-parameter analysis. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction by maintaining routing efficiency while dramatically simplifying device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the complex routing decision-making process into two distinct parts: (1) link cost calculation, which aggregates multiple path capabilities into single cost values for each link, and (2) path selection, which simply compares total path costs. This segmentation allows network devices to implement efficient routing through a simple two-step process rather than complex real-time analysis of multiple parameters.
2Productivity
If network devices apply complex routing considerations to optimize data transmission, then transmission efficiency is improved, but the network may operate less efficiently due to implementation difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
By converting multiple variable path parameters into standardized link cost values, the patent ensures consistent and reliable routing decisions across all network devices. Every device calculates and compares costs using the same methodology, eliminating variability and implementation errors that would arise from complex multi-parameter routing logic. This parameter transformation enhances network reliability while maintaining transmission efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If a simple routing scheme is applied to reduce complexity, then ease of implementation is improved, but the ability to optimize data transmission based on path properties is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds path optimization capabilities within the link cost calculation formula. By carefully designing how bandwidth, latency, and reliability contribute to the cost metric, the system maintains optimization power while presenting a simple interface to network devices. Devices only need to compare costs, yet the underlying cost calculation captures complex path properties, thus achieving both simplicity and optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The link cost acts as an intermediary that bridges simple routing logic and complex path optimization. Instead of requiring network devices to directly process multiple path parameters, the cost metric mediates between the simple comparison operation and the complex path properties, allowing optimization to occur indirectly through the cost calculation rather than through complex device logic.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a system with a first network device and at least first and second links connecting the first network device and one or more other network devices are disclosed. The first network device determines the costs of the first and the second links using the latencies of the first and the second links and factors that correspond to the bandwidths of the first and the second links.