Node Switch Path Selection for Network Fairness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hierarchical networks often experience network unfairness due to saturated paths and uneven throughput across switch ports, leading to congestion and high latency for some nodes, as resources are disproportionately allocated, affecting performance in applications that rely on global or local synchronization.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where node switches detect unfairly treated nodes and allow them to route data through non-minimal paths and throttle well-performing nodes to balance resource allocation, using a compute engine with path determination and throttle logic units to manage fairness across all node ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hierarchical networks share links among many flows to reach high utilization, then network throughput is improved, but network fairness deteriorates leading to congestion and high latency for some nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different nodes to use different paths based on their specific performance needs. Nodes that are unfairly treated (experiencing congestion or high latency) are permitted to use non-minimal paths, while nodes that are not unfairly treated continue to use minimal paths. This differentiated approach ensures that resource allocation is tailored to local conditions, improving fairness without sacrificing overall throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making path selection adaptive rather than static. The network monitor continuously monitors performance metrics such as latency and throughput, and dynamically adjusts which nodes are allowed to use non-minimal paths. This dynamic adjustment allows the network to respond to changing conditions and maintain fairness while optimizing throughput under varying load conditions.
2Productivity
If one or more switches saturate a path between source and destination, then high utilization is achieved, but congestion and latency increase for other nodes using the same path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the network into multiple possible paths between sources and destinations. Instead of relying on a single saturated path, the system segments traffic across multiple paths, allowing nodes experiencing congestion to be routed through alternative non-minimal paths. This segmentation reduces the impact of path saturation and distributes latency more evenly across the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (the network monitor and path selection mechanism) that mediates between the conflicting goals of high utilization and low latency. This intermediary monitors path conditions and dynamically directs traffic away from saturated paths, acting as a mediator that balances link utilization with latency requirements for different nodes.
3Speed
If one or more ports of a switch have higher throughput than other ports, then some nodes can inject data faster, but nodes connected to slower ports experience unfairness and reduced performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by reversing the traditional approach to port fairness. Instead of trying to equalize port throughput through throttling, the system inverts the approach by allowing nodes on slower ports to use non-minimal paths to compensate for their disadvantage. This inversion transforms the problem from one of equalization to one of compensation, where nodes with inherent disadvantages are given alternative routes to achieve fair performance.
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies for improving throughput in a network include a node switch. The node switch is to obtain expected performance data indicative of an expected data transfer performance of the node switch. The node switch is also to obtain measured performance data indicative of a measured data transfer performance of the node switch, compare the measured performance data to the expected performance data to determine whether the measured data transfer performance satisfies the expected data transfer performance, determine, as a function of whether the measured data transfer performance satisfies the expected data transfer performance, whether to force a unit of data through a non-minimal path to a destination, and send, in response to a determination to force the unit of data to be sent through a non-minimal path, the unit of data to an output port of the node switch associated with the non-minimal path. Other embodiments are also described.