Multi-Point Flow Tagging for Application-Aware Network Policies
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for digital networking services is outpacing the capacity of wireless and wireline networks, leading to network congestion and reduced performance, particularly due to inefficient usage of bandwidth by general-purpose Internet devices, which threatens network capacity and user experience.
Innovation Solution
Implementing Device Assisted Services (DAS) for intelligent network monitoring and differential control of network service usage, including application and operating system functions, to manage network resources and maintain capacity while ensuring acceptable user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If general-purpose Internet devices are deployed to increase user capacity, then network accessibility and versatility improve, but network congestion and capacity consumption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network traffic into different flows based on application identification, allowing differentiated handling of traffic types. This enables the network to treat different applications differently, preventing uniform high-capacity consumption across all traffic and reducing overall network capacity demands while maintaining accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by implementing application-specific service policies at network nodes where traffic is routed. Different quality parameters (priority, bandwidth allocation, access control) are applied to different application flows based on their specific requirements, optimizing network resource utilization while maintaining versatility.
2Quantity of substance
If network capacity is increased to meet growing digital networking demand, then user service capacity improves, but service provider costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes network service parameters dynamically based on application type and network conditions. By adjusting quality parameters (priority levels, bandwidth allocation, access control) rather than uniformly increasing capacity, the system meets growing demand efficiently without proportionally increasing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic service policy enforcement where network resources are allocated flexibly based on real-time application identification and current network state. This dynamic approach allows the network to adapt to growing demand without requiring permanent capacity increases, reducing costs while maintaining service quality.
3Quantity of substance
If application-specific service policies are enforced to manage network resources, then network capacity preservation improves, but device complexity and policy management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where applications or devices self-identify and self-describe their service requirements to the network. This reduces the complexity of centralized policy management by distributing intelligence to the edge, allowing applications to communicate their needs without requiring complex network-side analysis and policy configuration.
4Productivity
If device-assisted services are implemented for intelligent network monitoring, then network resource management efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables devices to perform self-monitoring and self-reporting of their network service usage and requirements. This distributed intelligence approach improves overall network resource management efficiency by providing accurate real-time information without requiring complex centralized monitoring systems, while the device complexity increase is offset by the automation benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
A flow tagging technique includes tagging a data flow at a plurality of points in the data flow. For example, the data flow can be tagged at a socket and at a proxy manager API. By tagging the data flow at multiple points, it becomes possible to map network service usage activities to the appropriate initiating applications.