Link Aggregation Group Hashing Using Flow Control Metrics

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network switching products face challenges in efficiently apportioning network traffic within link aggregation groups (LAGs) due to static hashing strategies that do not account for dynamic network conditions and egress port utilization, leading to potential congestion and packet dropping.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a LAG hashing unit to collect flow control metrics for egress ports, select the most suitable egress port based on these metrics, and dynamically assign and direct network traffic, incorporating flow control information to balance load and improve network traffic flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If static hashing strategies are used for traffic distribution in LAGs, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but network traffic flow efficiency deteriorates and congestion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidnetwork traffic flow

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic hashing strategies that adapt to changing network conditions by continuously monitoring egress port metrics such as queue depth, utilization, and packet drop rates. The hashing algorithm dynamically adjusts traffic distribution across LAG members based on real-time port status, transforming the static traffic allocation into a dynamic system that responds to network conditions, thereby improving traffic flow efficiency without significantly increasing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by monitoring egress port metrics including queue depth, utilization rates, and packet drop rates. This feedback information is used to continuously optimize traffic distribution decisions, allowing the system to learn from past performance and adapt to changing network conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between simple operation and efficient traffic flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If static hashing strategies are used for traffic distribution in LAGs, then device complexity is reduced, but network congestion and packet dropping increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic hashing strategies that adapt to changing network conditions by continuously monitoring egress port metrics such as queue depth, utilization, and packet drop rates. The hashing algorithm dynamically adjusts traffic distribution across LAG members based on real-time port status, transforming the static traffic allocation into a dynamic system that responds to network conditions, thereby improving traffic flow efficiency without significantly increasing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by monitoring egress port metrics including queue depth, utilization rates, and packet drop rates. This feedback information is used to continuously optimize traffic distribution decisions, allowing the system to learn from past performance and adapt to changing network conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between simple operation and efficient traffic flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If dynamic traffic distribution based on flow control metrics is implemented, then network traffic flow and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork traffic flowVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into a unified hashing decision-making process. The same hashing mechanism simultaneously considers flow control metrics, egress port status, queue depth, and utilization rates to make traffic distribution decisions. This multi-functionality approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single cohesive mechanism, improving traffic flow while limiting the increase in device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes hashing parameters based on network conditions by adjusting the weightings and thresholds of various metrics such as queue depth, utilization rates, and packet drop rates. This allows the system to adapt to different network scenarios without requiring fundamentally different algorithms, thereby improving productivity while keeping the underlying mechanism relatively simple and manageable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9900255B2System and method for link aggregation group hashing using flow control information

Publication Date: 2018.02.20 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A system and method for forwarding network traffic includes receiving a first flow of network traffic at an ingress port on a switch, collecting flow control metrics for a plurality of egress ports assigned to a link aggregation group of the switch, selecting a first egress port from the plurality of egress ports using a hashing strategy based on at least information associated with the flow control metrics, assigning the first flow to the first egress port, directing the first flow to the first egress port, and transmitting network traffic associated with the first flow using the first egress port.