Network Bandwidth Admission Control via Capacity Querying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bandwidth management systems fail to effectively prevent oversubscription of network capacity, particularly in scenarios where local network segments admit traffic without knowledge of upstream or downstream capacities, leading to congestion and performance issues in VoIP and IPTV applications.
Innovation Solution
A method where network devices query and estimate available transfer rates across network segments, comparing them to requested capacities to determine if a data transfer can be serviced, and if not, withholding or modifying the request to prevent oversubscription, allowing devices to self-regulate based on learned capacities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If local bandwidth manager admits traffic without knowledge of upstream capacity, then local network segment utilization is improved, but upstream network becomes oversubscribed and congested
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where network devices query and learn capacities of upstream and downstream network segments. The bandwidth manager receives feedback about available capacity from gateway devices and uses this information to dynamically adjust admission decisions, preventing upstream oversubscription while maintaining local network utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by querying and learning network capacities before admitting traffic. The bandwidth manager proactively gathers capacity information from gateway devices and neighboring network elements prior to making admission decisions, ensuring that upstream and downstream capacities are not exceeded.
2Reliability
If bandwidth management is implemented to prevent oversubscription, then network reliability is improved, but system complexity increases due to capacity querying and coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service mechanisms where network devices autonomously query and learn their own network capacities. Devices perform self-assessment of available bandwidth by communicating with gateway devices and making independent admission decisions based on learned capacity information, reducing the need for complex centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The bandwidth management function is segmented and distributed across multiple network elements including endpoint devices, gateway devices, and bandwidth managers. Each segment handles local capacity management and coordination, reducing the complexity burden on any single device while maintaining overall network reliability.
3Measurement precision
If capacity information is queried from gateway devices, then admission control accuracy is improved, but communication overhead and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary capacity queries and learning during idle periods or before traffic bursts. Network devices proactively gather capacity information from gateway devices in advance, storing this information for rapid admission decisions without requiring real-time queries during active data transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements caching mechanisms where capacity information obtained from gateway devices is copied and stored locally at network devices. This local copy enables rapid admission decisions without repeated queries to the gateway, reducing communication overhead and time loss while maintaining measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided in one example and includes querying for a total capacity for data transmissions for a local network segment, and identifying an available capacity for the local network segment by subtracting a sum of current aggregate consumption of the local network segment from the total capacity. The method also includes comparing the available capacity to a requested capacity that is generated by a network element for a specific communication session. If the requested capacity is equal to or greater than the available capacity, the request is withheld and not transmitted. In more specific embodiments, if the requested capacity is less than the available capacity, the request is transmitted. The query can be communicated to a gateway. In still other embodiments, the query includes a specific query as to a capacity allocated for video data and the network element is a set-top box.