Network Device Memory Management for Stream Reservations

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The Stream Reservation Protocol (SRP) is undefined when network switches run out of memory resources, leading to unpredictable responses and difficulties in managing resource depletion in network devices.

Innovation Solution

A computing device with a networking device that selectively discards talker or listener attributes to free up memory resources by propagating Talker Failed messages and removing outdated or uninteresting attributes when memory is exhausted, ensuring reliable network operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If network devices store all talker attributes to maintain complete stream information, then information completeness is improved, but memory resource consumption increases and may lead to resource depletion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestream information completenessVSAvoidmemory resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a mechanism to selectively discard talker attributes when memory resources are depleted. The system monitors memory availability and discards attributes based on priority criteria (e.g., active listeners, QoS requirements), allowing the network device to recover memory resources while maintaining essential stream information for active connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the state of stored attributes by transitioning them between active and discarded states based on memory conditions. When memory is sufficient, attributes are maintained; when memory is depleted, attributes are selectively discarded, dynamically adjusting the quantity of stored information to match available resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If network devices selectively discard talker attributes to free memory, then memory resource availability is improved, but information completeness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory resource availabilityVSAvoidstream information completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different retention policies to different talker attributes based on local conditions such as active listener presence, QoS requirements, and stream priority. Critical attributes with active listeners are preserved, while non-critical attributes are discarded, ensuring information completeness is maintained for essential streams while freeing memory for overall system operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If network devices define a response to resource depletion, then operational reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidprotocol definition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service mechanisms where network devices autonomously monitor their own memory resources and automatically execute discard operations when thresholds are reached. This self-managing approach improves operational reliability by preventing complete system failure while maintaining relatively simple protocol definitions that devices can implement independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2981027B1Resource management for stream reservations
Publication Date: 2019.10.16 HARMAN INT IND INC
  • EP2981027B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP2981027B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2981027B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments are disclosed for networked computing devices and methods of managing talker and listener attributes in a network. In some embodiments, a computing device comprises a networking device that receives and propagates data streams and information relating to the data streams to other devices in a network and a processor. The computing device also comprises a storage device that stores the information related to the data streams and instructions executable by the processor to receive a first talker attribute, selectively discard a second talker attribute, the second talker attribute being stored on the storage device prior to receiving the first talker attribute, and store the first talker attribute.