Network Interface Selection Using Historical Connection Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network communication techniques often select network interfaces based solely on advertised data rates, neglecting other performance factors that can affect overall connection quality, leading to suboptimal performance due to factors like ISP quality and route conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses historical performance data from previous connections to predict the best network interface for new connections, considering parameters like round-trip time, data rate, connection loss rate, and hop count, rather than just interface speed, to select the most suitable interface for improved performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If network interface selection is based on advertised data rate, then interface speed is improved, but overall connection performance deteriorates due to neglecting ISP quality and route conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface data rateVSAvoidoverall connection performance
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary testing by establishing test connections through each available network interface before actual use. Historical performance data from these preliminary connections is stored and used to predict which interface will provide the best overall performance for future connections, rather than simply selecting based on advertised data rates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors and stores historical performance information from actual network connections, including metrics like round-trip time, connection loss rate, and effective data rate. This feedback is used to dynamically adjust interface selection decisions, allowing the system to learn from past performance and improve future selections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If historical performance monitoring is implemented, then connection performance prediction is improved, but system complexity increases due to data storage and processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection performance predictionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-testing and self-evaluation by automatically establishing test connections and monitoring its own performance metrics. The computer itself generates and stores the historical performance data without requiring external testing infrastructure, making the system self-sufficient and reducing overall complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2165465B1Network interface selection using historical connection information
Publication Date: 2019.01.23 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP2165465B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2165465B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2165465B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computer may be capable of communicating with devices via network through multiple interfaces. When a new connection is to be established, the computer may select an interface to use for the connection. In some embodiments, the interface may be selected based on historical connection information representing the performance of previous network connections that the computer has established through the interfaces.