Home Network QoS via VPN Resource Reservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current UPnP QoS solutions are limited to local area networks and do not effectively address the dynamic bandwidth and latency variations encountered in remote access through virtual private networks (VPNs), which are essential for real-time streaming multimedia applications.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for establishing Quality of Service (QoS) in home networks that involve receiving bandwidth requests, retrieving traffic specifications and path characteristics, and reserving resources in VPNs using DiffServ QoS solutions to ensure end-to-end QoS guarantees across VPNs, allowing for dynamic resource allocation and prioritization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If UPnP QoS solutions are used for local area networks, then QoS can be enforced using Layer 2 technologies, but they cannot effectively address dynamic bandwidth and latency variations in remote access through VPNs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveQoS adaptability to different network environmentsVSAvoidQoS guarantee reliability in VPN environments

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the QoS enforcement into two distinct parts: Layer 2 QoS mechanisms within the home network and Layer 3 QoS mechanisms in the VPN tunnel. This segmentation allows each layer to handle QoS appropriately for its environment, with the home network using existing UPnP QoS and the VPN using IP-based QoS markings (DSCP, 802.1p) to maintain end-to-end QoS guarantees.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a QoS mapping mechanism as an intermediary that translates between Layer 2 QoS parameters and Layer 3 QoS parameters. This intermediary component enables the home network QoS policies to be effectively communicated and enforced through the VPN tunnel, bridging the gap between different network environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If remote access through VPN is enabled, then users can access home network from remote locations, but bandwidth and path latency become time-varying and unpredictable

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRemote access convenienceVSAvoidBandwidth and latency stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by reserving bandwidth and establishing QoS parameters before the actual media streaming begins. The QoS negotiation and resource reservation occur during the session establishment phase, ensuring that sufficient bandwidth is guaranteed before real-time streaming starts, thus mitigating the impact of VPN's time-varying characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic QoS monitoring and adjustment during the media session. The system continuously monitors the achieved level of performance (data rate, delay) and dynamically controls scheduling priorities in network nodes, allowing the QoS parameters to adapt to the changing VPN conditions while maintaining service quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS7933274B2Quality of service in a home network

Publication Date: 2011.04.26 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

In one embodiment, a method for establishing Quality of Service (QoS) in a home network is provided. The method comprises: receiving a request for bandwidth in a virtual private network (VPN); receiving a traffic specification of an application on a control point retrieving a traffic policy; retrieving path characteristics of the VPN; and reserving resources in the VPN based on the path characteristics, the traffic policy, and the traffic specification.