Multilink Traffic Shaping via Centralized QoS Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multilink networking implementations lack flexibility in reconfiguring and selecting links for use in multilink transmission, leading to inefficient operation of communication networks due to hardwired associations with specific output links and a lack of centralized control, which prevents adaptive handling of link failures and bandwidth management.
Innovation Solution
A network device with a control unit that applies quality-of-service (QoS) policies to fragment and sequence incoming traffic, allowing for centralized control and adaptive reconfiguration of multilink traffic across multiple links without requiring backpressure from egress interfaces, enabling flexible bundling of physical links and preventing overrunning of egress queues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If output links are hardwired with specific boards, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability and reconfiguration capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates control logic from physical link associations by implementing a centralized controller that manages multiple output boards independently. Each output board maintains its own physical links but operates under unified control, allowing flexible reconfiguration without increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized controller acts as an intermediary between traffic sources and output links. It receives traffic classification decisions and translates them into specific link assignments, decoupling the physical hardwired connections from the logical traffic routing, thereby enabling adaptability while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If centralized control is implemented, then adaptability and traffic management flexibility improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized controller performs multiple functions including traffic classification, QoS policy enforcement, link selection, and load balancing through a single unified logic layer. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate control mechanisms, managing complexity through functional integration rather than proliferation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures QoS policies and link availability information in the centralized controller before traffic needs to be routed. By having this control information prepared in advance, the controller can make rapid routing decisions without complex real-time calculations, reducing operational complexity while maintaining flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If links are selected based on physical association only, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity and network efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static physical link associations to dynamic logical link selection. The centralized controller continuously monitors link status and traffic conditions, dynamically assigning links based on real-time availability and performance metrics rather than fixed physical connections, thereby optimizing throughput while maintaining operational simplicity through automated decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the centralized controller receives status information from output boards and adjusts link assignments accordingly. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to link failures or performance degradation automatically, maintaining high productivity without requiring manual reconfiguration or complex operational procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for performing multilink communications may include applying a quality-of-service (QoS) policy to incoming traffic, where the QoS policy operates to identify a first portion and a second portion of the incoming traffic. The method may include fragmenting the first portion of the incoming traffic into a group of fragments. The method may include sequencing the group of fragments and the second portion of the incoming traffic into a sequenced flow, where the sequencing causes the second portion to be interleaved among the group of fragments so that the sequenced flow can be made available to a first link and a second link as multilink traffic, where the first link carries a first portion of the multilink traffic and the second link carries a second portion of the multilink traffic.