ECMP Feedback Packet Routing for Link Utilization Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Equal Cost Multi-Path (ECMP) routing strategies in networked information handling systems often lead to non-optimal packet paths due to the lack of consideration for downstream network device and link group utilization issues, resulting in inefficient packet forwarding.
Innovation Solution
An Information Handling System (IHS) with a communication system, processing system, and memory that includes an ECMP routing and feedback engine, which receives data packets with feedback tag information, stores and forwards them, and generates feedback packets when link utilization thresholds are reached to adjust ECMP routing parameters and optimize packet routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hashing operation or Dynamic Load Balancing is used to select ECMP links, then packets are distributed over multiple links, but non-optimal paths are selected due to lack of downstream network device utilization information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where downstream network devices send utilization information upstream through feedback packets. Each network device monitors its ECMP link group utilization and sends feedback packets containing this information to upstream devices. This feedback loop enables upstream devices to make informed routing decisions based on actual downstream conditions, resolving the contradiction by providing the missing utilization information without fundamentally changing the packet distribution mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having network devices pre-calculate and store ECMP link group utilization information before packets arrive. Downstream devices continuously monitor their link utilization and prepare feedback information in advance. When upstream devices need routing decisions, the utilization information is already available, enabling optimal path selection without delaying packet forwarding.
2Ease of operation
If conventional ECMP link selection methods are used, then packet forwarding decisions are made locally, but downstream network device issues are not considered
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism allows downstream network devices to communicate their utilization status upstream. Each device sends feedback packets containing ECMP link group utilization information to upstream devices. This maintains local decision-making capability while eliminating information loss about downstream conditions, as upstream devices receive and use this feedback information for their routing decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback packet acts as an intermediary carrying utilization information from downstream to upstream devices. Instead of requiring direct communication between all devices or centralized control, the feedback packet mediates the information flow, enabling upstream devices to make informed local decisions based on downstream conditions without complex direct interactions.
3Device complexity
If ECMP routing is implemented without feedback, then routing calculations are simple, but traffic imbalances occur due to non-optimal path selection
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism provides utilization information from downstream to upstream devices through feedback packets. This maintains relatively simple routing calculations at each device while enabling optimal path selection based on actual network conditions. The feedback information is integrated into existing ECMP algorithms, avoiding major increases in computational complexity while significantly improving network efficiency through better traffic distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
A feedback-based ECMP packet routing system includes a first node having a first node ECMP link group with first node ECMP links. The first node provides, in data packets forwarded through the first node ECMP links, first node ECMP feedback tag information including a first node identifier, a first node ECMP link group identifier, and a first node ECMP link identifier identifying the first node ECMP link used to forward the data packet. A second node receives a data packet from the first node via the first node ECMP link, stores its first node ECMP feedback tag information, and forwards the data packet through the second node link to the third node. When the link utilization of the second node link reaches a threshold, the ECMP feedback tag information is used to generate and send a feedback packet that causes the first node to adjust its ECMP routing parameters.