Packet-Specific Network Congestion Control With Threshold Queues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing congestion control algorithms in network protocols fail to prevent congestion effectively, particularly when different types of congestion control algorithms share network links, leading to buffer overflow and packet loss, especially in multipath transmission systems.
Innovation Solution
A computing system with a congestion controller that determines message parameters and assigns congestion control algorithms to packets based on their specific settings, using a queue with multiple threshold positions to manage congestion by marking or dropping packets accordingly, ensuring fairness and efficiency across different algorithms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple congestion control algorithms share network links, then network resource utilization is improved, but buffer overflow and packet loss occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shared network link into multiple virtual channels, each dedicated to a specific congestion control algorithm type. This segmentation prevents buffer overflow by isolating different algorithm behaviors, while maintaining high network resource utilization through controlled multiplexing of these virtual channels based on buffer status and algorithm characteristics.
2Reliability
If congestion control algorithms react to congestion signals, then congestion is corrected, but congestion prevention capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary congestion prevention by monitoring buffer status and predicting potential congestion before it occurs. When the buffer approaches threshold levels, the system proactively adjusts transmission rates and selects appropriate congestion control algorithms in advance, preventing congestion rather than merely reacting to it. This preliminary action eliminates the time delay associated with reactive congestion correction.
3Ease of operation
If congestion control actions are applied uniformly to all packets, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but fairness between different algorithm types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by tailoring congestion control actions to the specific characteristics of each algorithm type and packet context. Different virtual channels use algorithm-appropriate control mechanisms, and buffer management policies are adjusted locally based on the mix of algorithm types present. This maintains fairness for each algorithm while preserving overall system simplicity through automated virtual channel management.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system for managing congestion control of packets includes a processor that implements a network traffic manager including a congestion controller and a socket. The congestion controller determines messages parameters for packets of a plurality of messages and assigns a congestion control algorithm setting to each packet based on the message parameters associated with each packet. The socket includes a buffer with a queue having a plurality of threshold queue positions. The congestion controller determines that a subset of packets exceeds at least a first threshold queue position and selects a congestion control action for each packet in the subset based on the assigned congestion control setting for each respective packet and a position of each respective packet relative to the plurality of threshold queue positions.