Network Layer Channel Bonding for Bandwidth Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication networks often underutilize available bandwidth across multiple physical communication paths, leading to inefficient data transmission and limited throughput.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of network layer channel bonding methods and systems, which involve determining the throughput and latency of multiple communication links, scheduling packets based on quality of service (QoS) conditions, and dividing packets into sets to be transmitted over respective links, thereby maximizing aggregate throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If all traffic is physically routed through one path in a hub-and-spoke network, then network management is simplified, but the total bandwidth is limited to the smallest communication link in the chain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments traffic flows into multiple independent packet streams that can be routed through different physical paths simultaneously. Each stream is assigned to specific communication links based on QoS requirements, allowing the system to utilize multiple links in parallel while maintaining manageable routing policies for each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of parallel routing by establishing multiple virtual paths across different physical communication links. Instead of single-path routing, traffic can flow through multiple dimensions of network paths simultaneously, effectively increasing total bandwidth while maintaining policy-based control in each dimension.
2Ease of operation
If network traffic is divided based on flows or destinations in multi-star or mesh networks, then routing control is improved, but most of the aggregate available bandwidth remains unused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple communication links into bonded virtual interfaces that function as unified high-bandwidth paths. By combining available bandwidth from multiple physical links while maintaining individual link management, the system achieves both improved routing control and full utilization of aggregate bandwidth through link aggregation and channel bonding techniques.
3Productivity
If packets are transmitted over multiple communication links concurrently, then total throughput increases, but latency variance between links increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality characteristics to different packet streams by assigning specific QoS parameters, latency requirements, and routing preferences to each stream. This allows latency-sensitive traffic to be routed through optimized paths while throughput-sensitive traffic utilizes available bandwidth, resolving the contradiction between total throughput and latency variance through localized quality optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary classification and assignment of packets to specific communication links based on QoS requirements before transmission. By pre-configuring routing decisions and buffer allocations based on predicted latency and throughput needs, the system minimizes latency variance while maintaining high total throughput through proactive resource allocation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Implementations of the disclosure are directed to network layer channel bonding. In one implementation, a method comprises: operating a first communication device to transmit data to a second communication device over multiple communication links, each of the communication links associated with a respective communication medium; receiving, at the first communication device, an input data stream for transmission to the second communication device, the input data stream comprising packets; determining, at the first communication device, a throughput and latency of each of the communication links; based on the determined throughput and latency of each of the communication links: dividing the packets into multiple sets, each of the sets configured to be transmitted by the first communication device over a respective one of the communication links; and transmitting, from the first communication device to the second communication device, each of the sets of packets over the set's respective communication link.