Network Congestion Module for Microburst Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network elements struggle to accurately determine the cause and effect of congestion in real-time due to large polling periods, which can miss microbursts and fail to provide timely information on when congestion occurs, what causes it, and what is affected by it.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a network congestion module that measures queue group occupancy in near-real-time using ASICs, with different thresholds to monitor and record queue group occupancy, gather statistics, and perform actions to characterize packets and alleviate congestion, allowing for precise detection of congestion causes and effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the network element uses a large polling period to check dropped packet counters, then the device complexity is reduced and energy consumption is lowered, but the measurement precision of congestion detection deteriorates and microbursts are missed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the congestion detection function into two parts: (1) continuous queue occupancy measurement by hardware counters that track queue depth at high resolution, and (2) periodic analysis of dropped packet counters. This segmentation allows precise real-time detection without requiring the entire system to operate at high complexity continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces queue occupancy counters as an intermediary measurement mechanism. Instead of directly polling dropped packet counters at small intervals, the system uses queue occupancy counters that continuously track queue depth, providing precise congestion indicators without requiring frequent polling of the main control system.
2Measurement precision
If the network element polls dropped packet counters frequently with a small polling period, then the measurement precision of congestion detection is improved and microbursts are detected, but the device complexity increases and processing overhead rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having hardware counters continuously measure and record queue occupancy depth in real-time before congestion occurs. This pre-measurement approach eliminates the need for frequent polling during congestion events, as the data is already captured and ready for analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The queue occupancy counters operate autonomously in the data plane, self-measuring queue depth without requiring control plane intervention. This self-service mechanism provides continuous precise measurements while keeping the control plane simple and reducing processing overhead.
3Productivity
If the network element uses a large polling period, then the loss of time for congestion detection is reduced in terms of processing overhead, but the actual detection time lag increases making it difficult to determine cause and effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by having queue occupancy counters continuously measure queue depth at all times, not just during periodic polling. This continuous measurement eliminates detection time lags while maintaining high polling efficiency, as the data is always available when needed for analysis.
4Loss of information
If the network element implements detailed packet statistics gathering and analysis, then the information completeness about congestion cause and effect is improved, but the processing overhead and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by gathering packet statistics selectively based on queue occupancy thresholds. Instead of analyzing all packets continuously, the system captures detailed packet information only when queue depth exceeds predefined thresholds, providing sufficient congestion information while minimizing processing overhead.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus of a device that determines a cause and effect of congestion in this device is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the device measures a queue group occupancy of a queue group for a port in the device, where the queue group stores a plurality of packets to be communicated through that port. In addition, the device determines if the measurement indicates a potential congestion of the queue group, where the congestion prevents a packet from being communicated within a time period. If potential congestion exists on that queue group, the device further gathers information regarding packets to be transmitted through that port. For example, the device can gather statistics packets that are stored in the queue group and/or new enqueue packets.