Network Control Apparatus Burst Traffic Shaping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In a Centralized Radio Access Network (C-RAN) configuration, servers face challenges in processing burst traffic, leading to packet discard and reduced processing capacity, which affects the distribution of session request packets in a Layer 2 (L2) network.
Innovation Solution
A network control device that collects uplink and downlink observation data to adjust the shaping rate in relay devices, detecting burst traffic and adjusting the transmission speed based on traffic volume ratios to prevent packet discard and ensure efficient packet distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If flow shaping is applied to smooth traffic to servers, then packet processing capability is improved, but burst traffic cannot be distributed when server processing capacity is temporarily depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic shaping rate adjustment by monitoring the ratio of uplink to downlink traffic volumes. When this ratio exceeds a threshold indicating burst traffic conditions, the shaping rate is increased to distribute packets across multiple relay devices. When the ratio is normal, the shaping rate is reduced to maintain smooth traffic flow. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the traffic shaping mechanism flexible rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where relay devices report traffic volume information to a control device, which then adjusts shaping rates based on the observed uplink-downlink traffic ratio. This closed-loop feedback system enables the network to automatically respond to changing traffic conditions, improving both packet processing capability and adaptability to burst traffic patterns.
2Adaptability or versatility
If shaping rate is increased to distribute burst traffic, then packet distribution is improved, but network resource waste occurs during normal traffic conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The shaping rate is dynamically adjusted based on real-time traffic conditions. During burst traffic periods, the shaping rate increases to improve packet distribution. During normal traffic periods, the shaping rate decreases to minimize network resource consumption. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the need for constant high shaping rates, thereby preventing network resource waste while maintaining burst traffic handling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the shaping rate parameter in response to traffic condition changes. By monitoring the uplink-downlink traffic volume ratio and adjusting the shaping rate accordingly, the system optimizes network resource utilization - using higher shaping rates only when necessary for burst traffic distribution and lower rates during normal operations to conserve resources.
3Productivity
If flow shaping is applied at each L2 switch, then traffic smoothing is improved, but coordination between multiple relay devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions of multiple relay devices under a single control device that coordinates shaping rate adjustments across the entire network. Instead of each L2 switch independently performing flow shaping, the control device centrally manages the shaping rates based on aggregate traffic observations, simplifying coordination while maintaining traffic smoothing benefits across multiple relay devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device performs multiple functions: it monitors traffic volumes from multiple relay devices, calculates the uplink-downlink ratio, determines appropriate shaping rates, and distributes control decisions to all relay devices. This universal control approach coordinates traffic smoothing across the entire network infrastructure, managing complexity centrally while enabling cooperative behavior among multiple relay devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A data collection unit of an NW controller (6) collects, from an L2SW (5) constituting an L2NW (4), uplink observation data indicating traffic volume of a session request packet addressed to an application server 2 and downlink observation data indicating traffic volume of a session response packet transmitted from the application server 2, which are acquired by observing packets input to the L2SW (5). A control unit changes shaping rate of the packets addressed to the application server (2) through the L2SW (5) included in the L2NW (4) based on a ratio between the traffic volume indicated by the uplink observation data and the traffic volume indicated by the downlink observation data, or a ratio between an increment of the traffic volume acquired from the uplink observation data and an increment of the traffic volume acquired from the downlink observation data.