Network Flow Rebalancing for Congestion Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing congestion management techniques in computer networks often lead to reduced sender transmission bandwidth and inefficient load balancing due to static path allocation and lack of dynamic rebalancing, resulting in suboptimal network throughput and increased latency in data center environments.
Innovation Solution
Implement a process that detects congestion and dynamically rebalances network flows by generating control messages to instruct switching devices to redirect traffic across multiple ECMP paths, using congestion window data and feedback mechanisms to adjust flow routing and alleviate network congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If TCP congestion control reduces transmission window in response to congestion feedback, then network congestion is alleviated, but sender transmission bandwidth is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic path selection by continuously monitoring congestion levels on multiple ECMP paths and adjusting flow routing in real-time. Instead of static path allocation, the system adapts path choices based on current network conditions, allowing flows to be dynamically redirected from congested paths to available paths, thereby maintaining transmission bandwidth while alleviating congestion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the routing parameter (path selection) based on congestion conditions. By monitoring congestion window data and ECMP path utilization, the system adjusts which paths are used for different flows, transforming the fixed routing parameter into a dynamic one that adapts to network conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between congestion control and bandwidth maintenance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If static path allocation is used for ECMP flows, then routing is simple and stable, but load balancing effectiveness is reduced due to lack of dynamic rebalancing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic rebalancing mechanisms that periodically adjust flow paths based on current network conditions while maintaining overall routing stability. The system uses congestion window data and ECMP path monitoring to determine when rebalancing is needed, applying changes only when necessary to maintain both stability and effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring congestion levels on ECMP paths and using this information to trigger rebalancing actions. The feedback loop continuously observes network conditions and adjusts flow routing accordingly, ensuring that load balancing remains effective without causing excessive routing changes that would compromise stability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If congestion window is reduced at high rate to alleviate congestion, then network throughput is protected, but TCP performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the congestion control mechanism by separating path-level congestion management from TCP-level congestion control. Instead of reducing the TCP congestion window aggressively, the system segments the problem into individual ECMP paths and manages congestion at the path level through flow rebalancing, thereby protecting TCP performance while still addressing network congestion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary layer between the TCP protocol and the network path by implementing ECMP-aware congestion control. This intermediary monitors congestion window data and path conditions, mediating between TCP's congestion responses and actual network conditions, thus preventing excessive window reduction while still protecting network throughput.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for managing congestion in a data network. In a data network, various data flows are transmitted between source and destination nodes. One or more computing devices of the network may be configured to detecting congestion in a first path and provide an indication of the congestion, directly or indirectly, to a destination device. A switch associated with the path is designated for performing rebalancing of the flow based at least in part on a control message generated in response to an instruction received, either directly or indirectly, from a source device. Reassignment of the congested flow to a new path can help alleviate congestion and improve network performance.