Load Balancing Controller Reroutes High-Rate Packet Flows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network systems face congestion issues due to uneven data distribution across links, leading to data loss or delay, as existing equal cost multiple path routing methods lack mechanisms to prevent or solve congestion.
Innovation Solution
A load balancing method that monitors average data rates at connection ports and reroutes the packet flow with the highest data rate to alternative paths using a shortest path first algorithm, excluding congested ports, to distribute data evenly and prevent congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If equal cost multiple path routing method is adopted to evenly distribute data rates, then network bandwidth utilization is improved, but congestion occurs on specific links due to lack of prevention mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by monitoring average data rates and identifying congested links before they cause severe congestion. When a link's average data rate exceeds a threshold, the system proactively reroutes packet flows using shortest path algorithm, preventing congestion from occurring in the first place rather than reacting after congestion has set in.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring the average data rates of all connection ports and using this information to dynamically adjust routing decisions. The controller receives data rate information from nodes, processes it to identify congested links, and then modifies packet flow routing accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing network conditions.
2Productivity
If data transmission amount on specific links is increased to approach support rates, then network throughput is improved, but data loss or delay occurs when nodes fail to process data timely
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes routing dynamic by continuously monitoring data rates and adjusting packet flow paths in real-time. Instead of static equal-cost routing, the system dynamically identifies congested links and reroutes flows around them, allowing the network to adapt to changing traffic patterns and prevent data loss while maintaining high throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes routing parameters by switching from equal-cost path selection to shortest-path selection based on current network conditions. When congestion is detected on a link, the system changes the routing parameter (path selection criterion) to avoid that link, thereby maintaining throughput while preventing data loss through parameter adaptation.
3Reliability
If packet flows are rerouted to avoid congested ports, then congestion is prevented, but additional routing complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary controller that centralizes the complexity of congestion detection and routing decision-making. Individual nodes simply forward packets based on instructions from the controller, which performs the complex tasks of monitoring data rates, identifying congested links, and calculating alternative paths using shortest path algorithm, thereby distributing complexity to a dedicated control entity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex distributed routing logic with a simpler centralized control approach. Instead of each node implementing complex congestion avoidance algorithms, the controller uses shortest path algorithm (a well-established mathematical method) to compute routes, substituting mechanical distributed decision-making with a more manageable centralized computational approach.
Data Source
AI summary
The load balancing method includes: receiving identify information of the nodes to construct a network topology diagram and receiving support rates of connection ports through a controller; monitoring average data rates of the connection ports through the controller; when the average data rate of one of the connection ports is in excess of a congestion criteria, searching a packet flow with the highest data rate among packet flows passing through the connection port of which the average data rate is in excess of the congestion criteria through the controller; and performing a shortest path first algorithm according to the packet flow with the highest data rate and the network topology diagram, wherein the computed connection ports do not include the connection port of which the average data rate is in excess of the congestion criteria; and a new transmitting path is acquired.