LAN Bandwidth Allocation via Master-Slave Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In local area networks (LANs), bandwidth is often unevenly distributed, leading to one device consuming excessive bandwidth, which can starve other devices of resources, and existing solutions either restrict access illegally or only control flow for a single computer, failing to manage overall network traffic effectively.
Innovation Solution
A network traffic control system comprising a master device and slave devices that manage bandwidth allocation through flow notification and control packets, determining and adjusting flow allocations based on a total flow threshold to ensure fair distribution of bandwidth across all devices in the LAN.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If flow-control software is installed on a single computer to control its network flow, then that computer's bandwidth consumption is managed, but other computers in the same LAN can still occupy excessive bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the network into a master device and multiple slave devices, with each device independently reporting its flow requirements and receiving customized control packets. This segmentation allows granular control at each device level while maintaining centralized coordination, solving the problem of partial coverage by extending control to all devices in the LAN.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control system is designed as a universal solution that can be deployed on any device in the LAN (master or slave). The system performs multiple functions: flow notification, control packet generation, and adaptive flow regulation. This multi-functionality enables the system to manage bandwidth across all devices uniformly, addressing the limitation of single-computer control.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If software is used to stop a computer from accessing the external network to prevent excessive bandwidth consumption, then bandwidth protection is achieved, but the method is illegal or disputable
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of statically blocking network access, the system dynamically adjusts flow allocation based on real-time conditions. The master device receives flow notifications from slave devices, determines appropriate flow allocations, and sends control packets that dynamically regulate bandwidth consumption. This dynamic approach prevents excessive usage without illegal blocking, maintaining legal compliance while achieving bandwidth protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where slave devices send flow notification packets to the master device, which then generates control packets based on current network conditions and total flow thresholds. This closed-loop feedback system enables lawful bandwidth management by continuously monitoring and adjusting flow allocation, avoiding the need for illegal access blocking while preventing excessive consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a master device determines flow allocation for all devices in the LAN, then comprehensive network-wide control is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The master device acts as an intermediary between slave devices and the network traffic flow. It receives flow notifications from all slave devices, processes this information against total flow thresholds, and generates appropriate control packets. This intermediary role simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the complex allocation logic in one device while keeping slave devices relatively simple, thus achieving network-wide control without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a network traffic control system capable of properly using bandwidth of a local area network (LAN). An embodiment of the system includes a master device and at least one slave device(s). The master device and the slave device(s) belong to the same LAN. The master device is configured to receive at least one flow notification packet(s) from each slave device, and determine flow allocation of the master device and each slave device according to the flow notification packet(s) and a total flow threshold. The master device is further configured to generate at least one flow control packet(s) according to the flow allocation of all the slave device(s) and transmit one or more packet(s) in accordance with the flow control packet(s) to each of the slave device(s), so that each slave device determines flow allocation of its executing network-dependent program(s) according to the one or more packet(s).