Dynamic Network Management Traffic Control via Request Queuing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern network management software, particularly using SNMP, generates large amounts of network traffic that can overwhelm network devices, leading to performance issues, incorrect or incomplete responses, and device failure due to unmanaged management traffic flows.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that dynamically manage network management requests by limiting the number of concurrent requests to network devices, using a request module to queue excessive requests, and employing a timer to determine device responsiveness, thereby preventing overload and optimizing discovery and monitoring operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If modern network management software uses multithreading and parallel processing to generate large amounts of network traffic for monitoring and discovery operations, then the productivity and speed of network management operations is improved, but the network devices become overwhelmed and fail to function properly
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the rate of management traffic based on device responsiveness. A timer mechanism monitors device responses and automatically modulates the throughput of management requests, increasing speed when devices are responsive and reducing load when devices are overwhelmed, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by monitoring device responses to management requests. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts the generation rate of subsequent requests, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal performance while preventing device overload
2Measurement precision
If the number of concurrent management requests to network devices is increased to improve monitoring frequency and discovery speed, then the measurement precision and speed of network monitoring is improved, but the devices experience CPU spikes and memory issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic timer-based actions to send management requests at controlled intervals rather than continuously. This periodic approach ensures sufficient monitoring frequency for accurate measurements while preventing excessive CPU and memory utilization on managed devices
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of request throughput dynamically based on device capacity. By adjusting the rate parameter of management traffic according to device responsiveness, the system maintains measurement precision while avoiding harmful CPU spikes and memory issues
3Ease of operation
If management requests are sent without limiting concurrent requests, then the ease of operation and simplicity of network management software is improved, but the devices become overwhelmed and return incorrect or incomplete responses
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary timer mechanism between the management software and network devices. This intermediary automatically controls the flow of requests, maintaining software simplicity while ensuring response accuracy by preventing device overload
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for dynamically controlling network management traffic load on network devices is provided. A network management module on a network management server has a request module for requesting management data from a network device. A storage device accessible by the network management module stores a list of the network devices and associated management request limits representing a number of management requests the network management module is allowed to send to a particular network device for processing at a time. A queue module on the network management module stores a management request from the network management module when a number of outstanding management requests exceeds the management request limit and places the management request in a queue. The queue module also forwards a management request from the queue to a network device when the network management module receives a response from the network device.