Network Access Assignment Balancing NIC Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Service provider networks face inefficiencies in assigning network access solutions, leading to underutilization of some network interface cards (NICs) and potential single points of failure, especially when handling multiple connections from enterprise customers, particularly those using voice over internet protocol (VoIP) services.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for load balancing network access solutions by assigning them based on customer characteristics, such as identity and location, to diversify connections and balance utilization across multiple NICs, ensuring that no single NIC handles excessive loads and that redundant connections are established where necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If connections are assigned to NICs based on maximum capacity utilization, then NIC capacity is efficiently used, but single points of failure are created when all customer connections are assigned to a single NIC
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments customer connections by organizing them into customer groups, where each group is assigned to a specific NIC. This segmentation ensures that not all connections from a single customer are assigned to the same NIC, thereby distributing the load and eliminating single points of failure while maintaining efficient NIC capacity utilization.
2Ease of operation
If all customer connections are assigned to a single NIC for simplicity, then assignment process is simple, but network stability is compromised due to potential single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated system that self-manages the complex task of assigning connections to appropriate NICs based on customer group configurations. This automation maintains assignment simplicity from the user perspective while internally ensuring proper distribution of connections across multiple NICs to prevent single points of failure.
3Productivity
If load balancing is implemented by assigning connections to underutilized NICs, then NIC utilization is balanced, but customer-specific connection patterns are not considered leading to potential single points of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating customer-specific assignment rules that consider the unique connection patterns and requirements of each customer. Instead of applying a uniform load balancing approach, the system tailors the assignment strategy to each customer group, ensuring that connections are distributed in a way that both balances NIC utilization and maintains connection redundancy for each customer.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for load balancing network access solutions, for example Provider Edger (PE) routers and network interface cards within said routers, based on characteristics of the destination device to which the assigned network access solutions connect. This enables a service provider to load balance access connections of a particular customer across a number of different network access solutions, based on who the customer is and where the customer is located. In addition, such a system can balance network access solutions based on capacity and utilization of the network access solutions.