Link Aggregation Group SLA Routing via Packet Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Meeting Service Level Agreement (SLA) requirements in a Link Aggregation Group (LAG) environment is challenging because BFD packets and production data packets may traverse different interfaces, potentially violating SLA metrics.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves splitting a performance measuring data packet into multiple child packets, which are routed through separate constituents of a Link Aggregation Group to test performance. This allows determining which constituents meet SLA requirements, enabling data packets to be routed through those constituents that satisfy the SLA parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If Link Aggregation Grouping is used to increase bandwidth and reduce data loss, then network capacity and reliability are improved, but Service Level Agreement requirements cannot be met because BFD and data traffic may use different egress interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the link aggregation group into multiple constituent links and assigns specific Service Level Agreement requirements to individual links. This allows different segments of the aggregated group to be evaluated independently, ensuring that traffic can be routed through links that meet the required SLA parameters while maintaining the overall bandwidth benefits of link aggregation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality requirements to different constituent links within the link aggregation group. By evaluating each link's performance characteristics locally and matching them to specific SLA requirements, the system ensures that traffic with stringent SLA requirements is routed through appropriate links while maintaining overall network capacity.
2Reliability
If BFD and data traffic are forced through the same egress interface to meet SLA requirements, then SLA compliance is improved, but the performance benefits of Link Aggregation Grouping are eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal link aggregation group management system that can handle multiple Service Level Agreement requirements simultaneously. The system evaluates each constituent link against different SLA parameters and dynamically routes traffic based on matching requirements, allowing the same link aggregation group to serve multiple functions and support diverse traffic types with different performance needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic routing within the link aggregation group based on real-time evaluation of SLA requirements. The system continuously assesses which constituent links meet specific SLA parameters and dynamically directs traffic accordingly, rather than statically assigning traffic to fixed interfaces. This dynamic approach maintains both SLA compliance and the bandwidth benefits of link aggregation.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for providing service level agreement performance in a link aggregation group computer networking environment. A performance measurement data packet such as a bi-directional forwarding detection (BFD) packet is received. The performance measuring data packet can be considered a parent performance measurement data packet is split into multiple child performance measurement data packets which are each different constituent links of a link aggregation database. The performance of each constituent is tested to determine which constituents satisfy service level agreement parameters. Data packets can then be sent to constituents that meet the data packet's service level agreement performance parameters while still allowing link aggregation grouping.