Fair-share Network Traffic Shaping for Distributed Bandwidth Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for managing and prioritizing network traffic in distributed systems often result in uneven or unfair usage of bandwidth among subscribers and applications, leading to suboptimal Quality of Experience (QoE) and Quality of Service (QoS) during bandwidth congestion.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize logic modules, control processors, packet processors, and shaper objects to determine and enforce fair split bandwidth allocation based on policy data and split criteria such as hostname, location, priority, subscriber plan, and application type, ensuring fair and prioritized traffic shaping across distributed nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional bandwidth shaping approaches are applied in distributed systems, then bandwidth can be limited and managed, but uneven or unfair usage of bandwidth among subscribers and applications occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the distributed network into multiple logic modules, each independently applying fair-share bandwidth shaping principles. Each module divides bandwidth allocation into manageable segments that can be independently controlled and monitored, ensuring fair distribution across subscribers while maintaining overall system productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements location-aware bandwidth shaping where each logic module applies customized fair-share rules based on local network conditions, subscriber characteristics, and traffic patterns. This local quality approach ensures that bandwidth allocation is fair and appropriate for each specific network segment while contributing to overall system efficiency.
2Reliability
If guaranteed bandwidth is equally distributed among active subscribers, then each subscriber receives equal share, but priority and type of traffic are not considered
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts bandwidth allocation among subscribers based on real-time traffic conditions, priority levels, and application types. The fair-share shaper continuously monitors traffic patterns and modifies allocation decisions to balance equal distribution with traffic priority considerations, allowing the system to adapt to changing network conditions while maintaining fairness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple bandwidth shaping criteria (equal distribution, traffic priority, application type, subscriber profile) into a composite fair-share allocation mechanism. This composite approach integrates various factors to determine final bandwidth allocation, ensuring both equal treatment and priority awareness in a unified system.
3Productivity
If bandwidth shaping is applied to limit individual subscriber usage, then network congestion is reduced, but Quality of Experience for background traffic may be further degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The fair-share shaper implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor network congestion levels, subscriber bandwidth usage, and Quality of Experience metrics. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts bandwidth allocation to prevent congestion while minimizing degradation of QoE for background traffic, ensuring that limiting measures are applied fairly and proportionally.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for managing network traffic in a distributed environment. the system including: a plurality of logic modules configured to determine policy data related to bandwidth management and at least one split criteria for a basis for shaping network traffic; a control processor associated with each one of the plurality of logic modules, each control processor configured to determine data associated with each of a plurality of traffic flows at the associated logic module and to coordinate traffic actions over the plurality of logic modules; a packet processor associated with each control processor and configured to determine a traffic action based on each traffic flow and received policy data; and at least two shaper objects configured to receive a split of the traffic flows and enforce the determined traffic action on their respective traffic flow.