Home Network Bandwidth Allocation via Local Policy Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Home networks face complexity and inefficiency in managing bandwidth allocation for multiple user devices accessing various telecommunication services, leading to inadequate resource management and potential service disruptions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a home management device that actively allocates and manages bandwidth within the customer's network, making decisions to grant or deny requests based on pre-defined service levels and network parameters, either independently or in collaboration with the service provider, to optimize bandwidth usage among different classes of traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If bandwidth management is centralized at the service provider, then service control is simplified, but network overhead increases and response time to customer requests slows down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments bandwidth management authority by deploying local policy managers at customer premises that can independently make bandwidth allocation decisions for local devices, while the service provider retains oversight for policy updates and inter-device coordination. This segmentation reduces centralized overhead and accelerates local response times.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple user devices simultaneously access services, then service versatility increases, but bandwidth allocation complexity and potential service disruptions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by allowing each user device to have customized bandwidth parameters and service level agreements tailored to its specific needs and usage patterns. The local policy manager at each premises applies device-specific rules rather than uniform allocation, enabling versatile service access while maintaining manageable complexity through localized control.
3Speed
If bandwidth allocation decisions are made independently at home network, then response speed improves, but coordination with service provider becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring bandwidth policies, service level agreements, and allocation rules at the customer premises before actual service delivery. The local policy manager is pre-programmed with authorization to make immediate allocation decisions based on these pre-established parameters, enabling fast local response while the service provider maintains simplified coordination through periodic policy updates rather than real-time decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
A device may include a memory to store parameters associated with allocating bandwidth. The bandwidth may be allocated among at least a local class of traffic and a network class of traffic, and a portion of the bandwidth may be shareable between the local and network classes of traffic. The device may also include a communication interface to receive requests for access to bandwidth from a number of devices, the devices including at least one set top box (STB) and at least one digital video recorder (DVR). The device may also include logic to receive a first request having a corresponding first bandwidth and being associated with a first class of traffic, and determine whether the first bandwidth plus currently used bandwidth associated with the first class of traffic is less than a reserved bandwidth associated with the first class of traffic. The logic may also be configured to approve the first request when the first bandwidth plus currently used bandwidth associated with the first class of traffic is less than the reserved bandwidth associated with the first class of traffic. The logic may be further configured to forward the first request to a second device to determine whether a portion of the shareable bandwidth is available to fulfill the request, when the first bandwidth plus the currently used bandwidth associated with the first class of traffic is not greater than a maximum bandwidth associated with the first class of traffic.