Home Network Controller Bandwidth Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In home networks, the increased number of devices due to remote work and online activities leads to reduced quality of service (QoS) for critical applications like virtual work meetings, as they compete for bandwidth with less prioritized tasks such as online gaming, resulting in inadequate high bandwidth allocation during simultaneous usage.
Innovation Solution
A home network controller establishes priority time periods and queues with different quality of service levels for applications, using deep packet inspection to assign packets to appropriate queues based on their importance and the user-defined priority times, ensuring high QoS for critical applications during designated periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bandwidth is shared equally among all applications, then all applications can access the network, but critical applications like virtual work meetings receive insufficient bandwidth when competing with non-priority applications
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts bandwidth allocation based on time of day and application priority. During priority time periods (e.g., work hours), critical applications receive higher bandwidth allocation. Outside these periods, bandwidth is reallocated to non-priority applications. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making bandwidth allocation flexible rather than static, allowing critical applications to receive sufficient bandwidth when needed while maintaining overall network accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the bandwidth allocation parameter based on time of day and application type. During priority time periods, the bandwidth parameter for critical applications is increased. During non-priority periods, this parameter is reduced or reallocated. This parameter change approach allows the system to maintain high QoS for critical applications during important times while preserving network versatility across different time periods.
2Reliability
If priority bandwidth allocation is implemented for critical applications, then quality of service improves during priority periods, but bandwidth management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments bandwidth management into distinct priority time periods and non-priority time periods, with different queue configurations for each. During priority periods, critical applications are routed through high-priority queues. During non-priority periods, the same applications use standard queues. This segmentation simplifies the overall system by creating clear, time-based rules rather than requiring complex real-time analysis of all network traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The home network controller acts as an intermediary that automatically manages bandwidth allocation based on pre-configured priority settings. Users define their priority applications and time periods once, and the controller automatically implements the bandwidth management policy without requiring continuous user intervention or complex real-time decision-making. This intermediary approach reduces management complexity by automating the bandwidth allocation process.
3Productivity
If multiple queues with different quality of service levels are established, then bandwidth optimization is achieved, but network configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by switching between different queue configurations based on time of day. During priority time periods, the system activates a first set of queues optimized for critical applications. During non-priority periods, it switches to a second set of queues with different characteristics. This periodic switching simplifies queue management by using predictable, time-based patterns rather than requiring complex dynamic queue reconfiguration based on real-time network conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller is provided for use with a CD, a WAN, and a service provider server, the HNC includes: a memory; and a processor configured to execute instructions stored on memory to cause the HNC to: establish a priority time period; associate the priority time period with a first application; establish a first service flow queue having a first QoS during priority period; establish a second service flow queue having a second QoS; receive first upstream packets and second upstream packets; assign the first upstream packets to a first upstream queue during the priority time period; assign the second upstream packets to a second upstream queue; receive first downstream packets and second downstream packets; assign the first downstream packets to a first downstream queue during the priority time period; and assign the second downstream packets to a second downstream queue.