ISP Load Balancer Connection Manager
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-homed computer networks face inefficiencies in managing Internet connections, particularly in dynamic load balancing and redundancy, leading to single points of failure and inadequate bandwidth utilization, with existing solutions like BGP being costly and complex.
Innovation Solution
A connection manager intercepts and routes communication packets based on ISP availability and bandwidth load, dynamically selecting the best ISP for outbound traffic and managing IP addresses to ensure efficient load balancing and redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single ISP connection is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway server as an intermediary component that mediates between multiple ISP connections and the local network. This gateway server consolidates the complexity of managing multiple connections, providing automatic failover and load balancing capabilities without requiring complex configuration on individual network devices. The gateway server acts as a centralized manager that handles ISP connection monitoring, failure detection, and traffic routing, thereby improving reliability while keeping device complexity manageable.
2Reliability
If multiple ISPs are used, then reliability is improved through redundancy, but device complexity increases due to IP address management
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway server performs multiple functions within a single device: it acts as a router, DHCP server, DNS resolver, and connection manager simultaneously. By consolidating these functions, the system handles multiple ISP connections and their associated IP address management without requiring separate specialized devices for each function. The gateway server universally manages all ISP connections, assigning IP addresses, routing traffic, and providing name resolution services, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability through multi-ISP redundancy.
3Productivity
If static load balancing is used in multi-homed networks, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to respond to ISP failures
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway server implements continuous monitoring of ISP connection status and performance metrics, using feedback loops to dynamically adjust traffic routing decisions. The system actively probes each ISP connection to detect failures or performance degradation, and automatically reroutes traffic through alternative connections when problems are detected. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to changing network conditions in real-time, maintaining both high bandwidth utilization through load balancing and high adaptability through automatic failure response.
4Reliability
If BGP protocol is used for multi-ISP management, then reliability and bandwidth are improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing complex BGP routing protocols that require sophisticated routing tables and peering arrangements, the patent uses a simpler, more lightweight gateway server implementation that achieves similar reliability goals through basic routing and failover mechanisms. The system uses straightforward connection monitoring and static routing tables rather than dynamic BGP route exchanges, thereby achieving acceptable reliability and bandwidth utilization without the high device complexity and cost associated with BGP implementation. This approach treats the routing management as a simpler, more disposable solution that doesn't require the overhead of complex protocol stacks.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device and method for managing inbound and outbound communications for a multi-homed network. A connection manager is located on a local network that is connected to an external network, such as the Internet, through multiple service provider connections. The connection manager intercepts all communication packets that are inbound to the local network from the external network and all packets that are outbound from the local network to the external network. The connection manager then associates the packets with a particular ISP connection based on the availability and bandwidth load status of the ISP connections.