Policy-Based Multipath WAN Transport for QoS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current enterprise networks face challenges in providing reliable and cost-effective quality of service for real-time applications over public broadband WANs, which are prone to latency, jitter, packet loss, and congestion, making them unsuitable for mission-critical traffic.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dual-broadband connection system with a network transport optimization overlay that dynamically routes data packets through multiple WAN transports based on service classification, sequence numbering, and operational connectivity status to ensure high availability and quality of service, while reducing reliance on expensive dedicated circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If public broadband WANs are used for enterprise networks, then cost advantages and equipment availability are improved, but quality of service reliability deteriorates due to latency, jitter, and packet loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments traffic into different priority classes (real-time, interactive, bulk) and routes them through different WAN transports based on service level requirements. This allows cost-effective broadband to handle non-critical traffic while dedicated circuits handle mission-critical traffic, resolving the contradiction between cost and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes routing parameters based on transport qualification criteria and operational connectivity status. When broadband transports meet quality thresholds, they are used for cost savings; when thresholds are not met, traffic is routed elsewhere, thus adapting to maintain reliability while optimizing cost.
2Reliability
If MPLS services are used to support quality of service requirements, then quality of service reliability is improved, but service cost deteriorates becoming cost prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes broadband WAN transports multi-functional by using them for both cost-sensitive and quality-sensitive traffic through classification and routing mechanisms. This eliminates the need for expensive MPLS services while maintaining quality of service through intelligent traffic management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of broadband transports through transport qualification criteria, transforming them from unsuitable for real-time traffic to capable of supporting quality of service requirements through dynamic routing decisions based on measured performance parameters.
3Reliability
If constant or guaranteed minimum bit rate services are used, then quality of service reliability is improved, but service cost deteriorates becoming cost prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts routing decisions based on real-time transport qualification status and operational connectivity. Instead of paying for guaranteed bit rate services, the system monitors actual performance and routes traffic dynamically, achieving reliability only when broadband transports qualify rather than paying for reserved capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables broadband transports to self-qualify for carrying quality-sensitive traffic by monitoring their own performance parameters against transport qualification criteria. This eliminates the need for externally guaranteed bit rate services while maintaining quality through self-regulating routing decisions.
4Reliability
If dual-broadband connections are implemented, then network availability and capacity are improved, but system complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a transport qualification mechanism as an intermediary layer between the dual broadband connections and the traffic flow. This intermediary automatically assesses transport status and makes routing decisions, managing the complexity of dual connections without requiring complex configuration or manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
An approach is provided whereby multiple broadband connections operate together to provide a highly available secure private networking solution. Data packets of a communications flow are received by a networking device, for transmission to a remote destination node, over a wide area data communications network. A service classification is determined for the data flow. A sequence number is generated for each data packet, where the sequence numbers indicate an order by which the data packets are received. An indication of the service classification and the sequence number is added to each data packet. For each data packet, a transport policy is determined that indicates one or more VPN tunnels through which the data packet is to be transmitted, where the determination of the VPN tunnels is based on the service classification, and wherein each VPN tunnel is carried over a respective WAN transport of the wide area data network.