Dynamic Weight Adjustment for Network Congestion Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing load balancing techniques, such as ECMP, struggle to dynamically adjust traffic distribution in response to network faults, leading to uncontrolled congestion and service quality degradation.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that dynamically modify weight tables for traffic distribution across multiple routes in a network, based on real-time assessments of potential congestion caused by link faults, ensuring optimal resource utilization and preventing congestion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If static pre-configured weights are used for traffic distribution in ECMP, then the routing configuration is simple and easy to implement, but congestion occurs on network faults and service quality degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting configuration simplicityVSAvoidservice quality on network faults
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static pre-configured weights to dynamic weight adjustment. The system continuously monitors network conditions and automatically modifies ECMP weights in real-time based on current traffic patterns and link status, allowing the routing configuration to adapt to changing network states while maintaining simplicity through automated control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring network performance metrics and using this information to adjust ECMP weights. The system collects data on traffic distribution, link utilization, and network faults, then feeds this information back to the weight calculation algorithm to optimize traffic distribution and prevent congestion dynamically

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If Weighted ECMP is used with dynamic weight adjustment, then traffic distribution adapts to network conditions, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic distribution adaptabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the routing system to automatically adjust its own ECMP weights without external intervention. The system monitors its own performance metrics and autonomously modifies weight configurations based on detected network conditions, reducing the need for manual configuration while maintaining high adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically modifying the ECMP weight parameters based on network conditions. The system adjusts these numerical parameters in real-time to optimize traffic distribution, allowing flexible adaptation to various network scenarios while managing complexity through parameterized control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If ECMP distributes traffic across multiple paths, then load balancing efficiency improves, but uncontrolled congestion occurs when network faults happen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload balancing efficiencyVSAvoidcongestion on network faults
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively adjusting ECMP weights to prevent congestion before it occurs. The system predicts potential congestion scenarios based on current network conditions and fault patterns, and preemptively modifies weight distributions to avoid routing excessive traffic through vulnerable links, thereby maintaining load balancing efficiency while preventing harmful congestion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP4498652A1System and method for avoiding congestion in a load balanced network
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 CIENA CORP
  • EP4498652A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4498652A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4498652A1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method of registering, by a processing system including a processor, a first service in a network comprising a plurality of nodes, wherein the first service comprises a plurality of routes between a source node and a destination node, and wherein the registering comprises creating a first table of weights for a first distribution of traffic among the plurality of routes in the first service; registering, by the processing system, a second service in the network including a second table of weights for a second distribution of traffic among a second plurality of routes for the second service; determining, by the processing system, whether a fault on a link in the network would create potential congestion in the first plurality of routes and the second plurality of routes; and modifying the first table of weights or the second table of weights responsive to determining the potential congestion. Other embodiments are disclosed.