IoT Network Control Layer for SLA-Driven Workload Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems struggle to provide multi-layered control and optimization of IoT applications across hardware and software layers to ensure application performance meets service level agreements, particularly due to the use of proprietary technologies and complex support processes.
Innovation Solution
A system with an intelligence layer that determines optimal paths for data communication, migrates workload to nodes with untapped computing resources, and adjusts operation parameters to maintain application performance using a classification algorithm that models network cost and performance optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If proprietary firmware and operating systems are used in devices, gateways, and network infrastructure, then device functionality and network operation are enabled, but application performance cannot be guaranteed and bandwidth adjustment requires complex support processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network controller as an intermediary device that operates at multiple protocol layers (including application layer 7, transport layer 4, and network layer 3) to mediate between applications and the underlying proprietary network infrastructure. This intermediary enables centralized control, performance monitoring, and dynamic resource allocation without requiring complex support processes, thus guaranteeing application performance while simplifying operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The network controller performs multiple functions across different protocol layers simultaneously - it handles application layer services (QoS management, performance monitoring), transport layer functions (end-to-end communication control), and network layer routing. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems and complex coordination, enabling reliable performance guarantees through a single unified controller.
2Ease of operation
If multi-layered control and multi-point control frameworks are implemented to simplify deployment and operation, then deployment ease is improved, but system architecture complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network control functionality into distinct protocol layer modules within the network controller, with each module handling specific layer responsibilities (application layer 7, transport layer 4, network layer 3). This segmentation allows independent development, deployment, and management of each layer's control functions, simplifying overall system deployment while maintaining comprehensive multi-layered control capabilities.
3Reliability
If real-time application performance monitoring and dynamic resource allocation are implemented, then application performance guarantee is improved, but processing overhead and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network controller implements continuous feedback loops that monitor application performance metrics in real-time and dynamically adjust resource allocation decisions based on observed conditions. The controller collects performance data from multiple protocol layers, analyzes it against service level agreements, and automatically adjusts bandwidth allocation and routing decisions, enabling reliable performance guarantees through adaptive control rather than static complex configurations.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for optimising data communication between devices connected to a network, the system comprising: a server configured to: measure application performance metrics of the data communication between the devices; compare the application performance metrics against performance requirements; detect, in response to the application performance metrics being below the performance requirements, nodes having untapped computing resources within the network; determine operation parameters achieving service at the performance requirements; command one or more of the nodes to function at the operation parameters; and migrate at least a portion of workload associated with the data communication amongst the one or more nodes commanded to function at the operation parameters.