Multicast Join Request Distribution in Teamed Network Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computer systems with teamed communication ports, multicast data flows are inefficiently distributed as they are primarily received by the primary communication port, leading to suboptimal use of bandwidth and connectivity, especially in scenarios where network failures occur, causing uneven distribution of multicast traffic across available ports.
Innovation Solution
An intermediate driver intercepts multicast group join requests and redirects them based on the connectivity and bandwidth of each port, using Spanning Tree cost information to dynamically assign and reassign ports for optimal receive load balancing, ensuring that multicast data flows are distributed proportionally to the available network paths and bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multicast join requests are issued only from the primary communication port, then the switch device can dynamically configure ports based on join requests, but all multicast data flow is forced into the primary communication port leading to suboptimal bandwidth utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multicast data flow distribution by allowing join requests to be issued from multiple communication ports within the team, not just the primary port. This segmentation enables different ports to receive different multicast streams, distributing the load across all available bandwidth while maintaining switch port configuration capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic port role assignment where communication ports can transition between primary and non-primary roles based on real-time network conditions and multicast traffic patterns. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize bandwidth utilization by directing multicast flows to ports with available capacity while maintaining operational simplicity through automated role management.
2Device complexity
If all multicast data flow is directed to the primary communication port, then join request handling is simplified, but network redundancy is reduced and communication reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes beforehand cushioning by maintaining multiple communication ports in active multicast reception roles, creating redundant pathways for multicast data flow. When network failures occur, the system already has pre-configured alternative ports ready to receive multicast streams, ensuring communication reliability without complicating join request handling through proactive redundancy establishment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of port role assignment from static (single primary port) to dynamic (multiple active ports with adjustable roles). This parameter change allows the system to maintain simplified join request handling while improving reliability by enabling flexible port assignment based on network conditions, where ports can be dynamically promoted or demoted based on their operational status.
3Productivity
If multiple communication ports are used for multicast reception, then bandwidth utilization improves, but port assignment management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling communication ports to automatically monitor their own operational status, available bandwidth, and multicast traffic patterns. Ports can autonomously adjust their roles and assign themselves to appropriate multicast streams based on current network conditions, eliminating the need for complex centralized port assignment management while maximizing bandwidth utilization through decentralized intelligent decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes feedback mechanisms where communication ports continuously report their operational status, traffic load, and performance metrics to the teaming mechanism. This feedback enables automated port role adjustment and dynamic load balancing, allowing the system to optimize bandwidth utilization across multiple ports without requiring complex manual management, as the system self-adjusts based on real-time performance data.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system of distributing multicast group join requests in computer systems operating with teamed communication ports. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are computer-readable media storing a program that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to intercept multicast group join requests sent from a network layer program executed by the processor, and distribute the multicast join requests across a plurality of communication ports operating as a single virtual port.