Multicast Data Tree Routing for Bandwidth Waste Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network management tools lack the capability to holistically observe network flows and Multicast Distribution Trees (MDTs) in multicast networks, leading to inefficient bandwidth usage and waste due to the aggregation of network traffic, which complicates flow tracking and results in unwanted traffic distribution.
Innovation Solution
A software application and GUI that visually displays MDTs and data flows, enabling network operators to modify them to optimize bandwidth usage by adding, deleting, or changing traffic routes, and a network controller that determines bandwidth usage and waste to generate traffic routing policies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If network traffic is aggregated in multicast networks, then service delivery capability is improved, but bandwidth waste increases and flow tracking becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multicast network into multiple hierarchical levels (domain-level MDTs and site-level MDTs). Instead of aggregating all traffic through a single centralized structure, the network is divided into manageable segments where traffic is routed efficiently at each level. This segmentation reduces unnecessary bandwidth consumption while maintaining service delivery capability across the entire network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by allowing different parts of the multicast network to have customized routing policies and MDT configurations. Each domain can optimize its local traffic patterns independently, ensuring that bandwidth is used efficiently for local flows while maintaining overall network connectivity. This local optimization prevents blanket aggregation that would cause bandwidth waste.
2Productivity
If network traffic is aggregated in multicast networks, then service delivery capability is improved, but flow tracking complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides flow tracking into domain-level and site-level responsibilities. Domain-level controllers track aggregate traffic patterns and MDT performance, while site-level controllers handle local flow routing decisions. This segmentation of tracking responsibilities simplifies the overall complexity by distributing the tracking burden across multiple manageable components rather than requiring centralized tracking of all individual flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces domain-level controllers as intermediaries between the core network and site-level controllers. These intermediaries aggregate flow information from multiple sites and present summarized data to higher-level management systems. This intermediary layer reduces flow tracking complexity by filtering and summarizing detailed flow information before it reaches central management, making tracking more manageable.
3Ease of operation
If existing network management tools are used, then basic network operations are maintained, but holistic observation of network flows and MDTs is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances existing network management tools with multi-functional capabilities that simultaneously perform basic operations and holistic observation. The system integrates MDT performance monitoring, flow tracking, bandwidth utilization analysis, and routing optimization into a unified management platform. This universal toolset maintains ease of operation for basic tasks while adding comprehensive observation capabilities that were previously unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor MDT performance and flow patterns, then provide actionable insights to network operators. The system collects data from throughout the multicast network, analyzes bandwidth utilization and flow patterns, and feeds this information back to management tools. This feedback loop enables holistic observation while maintaining ease of operation through automated analysis and clear presentation of network state.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes generating a visual representation of one or more multicast data trees over a service provider network, each multicast data tree exchanging data between two or more of a plurality of nodes of an entity operating over the service provider network; determining a respective network bandwidth usage over each of the one or more multicast data trees and a network bandwidth waste based on current bandwidth usage of existing data tunnels of one or more multicast data trees and replication distances associated with the plurality of nodes; modifying the one or more multicast data trees based on at least the respective network bandwidth usage over each of the one or more multicast data trees to yield a modification; generating a traffic routing policy to implement the modification; and transmitting a notification to a subset of the plurality of nodes affected by the traffic routing policy.