Network Traffic Prioritization via Dedicated Data Flows
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network environments face congestion issues due to parallel software applications and devices competing for bandwidth, leading to delays, jitter, and packet loss, particularly affecting sensitive applications like gaming.
Innovation Solution
A dedicated network data flow is created with priority indicators to prioritize traffic for selected software applications and devices, allowing the user's network access device to tag upstream packets with priority indicators, which are recognized and honored by the service provider network, reducing latency and congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple software applications and devices share available bandwidth in parallel, then network resource utilization is improved, but delay and jitter increase for sensitive applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network traffic into different priority classes using QoS mechanisms. Traffic from gaming applications and other latency-sensitive applications is separated into high-priority queues, while less time-critical traffic is placed in lower-priority queues. This segmentation allows the network to handle different types of traffic differently, ensuring that sensitive applications receive timely service while maintaining overall network utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing differentiated service quality to different applications and devices based on their specific requirements. Gaming traffic receives low-latency treatment with priority queuing and expedited forwarding, while other traffic receives standard service. This localized quality adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing performance for specific applications without compromising overall network efficiency.
2Loss of time
If a dedicated network data flow is created for priority traffic, then latency is reduced for selected applications, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling users to automatically configure QoS policies through application detection. The system automatically identifies gaming and other latency-sensitive applications running on user devices and applies appropriate priority markings and queuing policies without requiring manual configuration. This automation reduces the complexity burden on users while still providing dedicated low-latency paths for priority traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring QoS policies and priority markings in the network infrastructure before traffic arrives. Network access devices and core routers are pre-programmed with QoS rules that automatically recognize and prioritize gaming traffic based on application signatures and port identifiers. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for real-time complex decision-making, reducing both latency and operational complexity.
3Speed
If packet prioritization is implemented at the network access device, then responsiveness is improved for selected applications, but device processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing packet prioritization only for identified latency-sensitive applications rather than processing all traffic equally. The network access device uses application detection mechanisms to identify gaming and other time-critical applications, then applies priority queuing and expedited forwarding only to their traffic. This selective approach improves responsiveness for sensitive applications while minimizing the processing overhead compared to universal priority handling.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
According to some aspects as described herein, a user may purchase or otherwise be provided with an accelerated service for selected software applications, devices, and/or ports to experience a high level of communication. The accelerated service may be created, for example, by using a dedicated network data flow such that the user's customer premise equipment (CPE) network access device may put priority traffic in a different upstream data flow than the commonly shared flow, which may involve tagging the traffic upstream to the network with a priority indicator such as a flow identifier. Based on similar factors, the user may also control local priority of data received downstream from the network for distribution to one or more local devices.