Dynamic WAN Switching for Home Network Performance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Local area networks (LANs) are limited in using multiple Wide Area Networks (WANs) efficiently due to fixed WAN assignments, which can result in suboptimal service quality for Internet access, as the assigned WAN may not always provide the best performance.
Innovation Solution
A switching device dynamically selects the best WAN for data transmission based on real-time network performance metrics like round-trip time and packet loss, using the OpenFlow protocol to manage data routing and switch between WANs when performance drops below predetermined criteria, ensuring seamless transitions and preventing oscillation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fixed WAN assignment is used for load balancing, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but service quality and bandwidth utilization deteriorate because the assigned WAN may not always provide the best performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic WAN selection by introducing a switching device that continuously monitors network performance metrics (such as latency, packet loss, and bandwidth) and automatically redirects traffic to the optimal WAN connection. This transforms the static WAN assignment into a dynamic system that adapts to changing network conditions, thereby maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving service quality and reliability.
2Reliability
If dynamic WAN switching is implemented to improve service quality, then reliability and service quality are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for monitoring and switching mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated switching device as an intermediary component that sits between the terminal devices and the WAN connections. This switching device is responsible for monitoring network performance, making switching decisions, and managing traffic routing. By concentrating the complexity in a single specialized device rather than distributing it across all network components, the system achieves dynamic WAN switching while keeping overall device complexity manageable.
3Ease of operation
If WAN assignment is based on target IP addresses with manual configuration, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates because the assignment remains fixed until manually changed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the switching device continuously monitors network performance metrics and uses this information to automatically adjust WAN assignments. The system collects performance data from various WAN connections, evaluates it against predefined criteria, and dynamically redirects traffic to the best-performing connection. This closed-loop feedback system eliminates the need for manual reconfiguration while maintaining ease of operation, thereby significantly improving adaptability to changing network conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
System and method of dynamically switching among multiple WANs for data transmission to and from a LAN based on real-time network performance. Each WAN may be owned by a respective Internet Service Provider (ISP) of the LAN. A switching device coupled between the WAN and the LAN evaluates the real-time network performance of the current WAN used for data transmission between a LAN user device and a target IP address. If the network performance deteriorates, the switching device may select a different WAN for the data transmission according to a set of service quality policies. The switching device may maintain a flow table to control data routing and communicate with other components in the LAN in compliance with the OpenFlow protocol.