Data Packet Forwarding via Congestion Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data center network topologies face routing conflicts and congestion due to equal-cost multi-path routing protocols, leading to network throughput issues and poor scalability in load balancing.
Innovation Solution
A data packet forwarding method that collects congestion extents of sampling paths and selects the path with the smallest congestion extent for forwarding data packets, using a sampling module to probe and store congestion information, and splitting data streams into flowcells for efficient path allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If ECMP routing protocol is used to randomly forward data packets to equal-cost output ports, then implementation is simple, but routing conflicts occur causing network congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-collecting congestion status information of multiple paths before data packet arrival. The controller gathers congestion extents of d sampling paths in advance, and the forwarding device uses this pre-collected information to make informed routing decisions, avoiding random selection that causes congestion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors and collects congestion status of network paths, then feeds this information back to the forwarding device. The forwarding device uses this feedback to dynamically select paths with minimal congestion, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to network conditions.
2Ease of operation
If round robin load balancing method is used to allocate flowcells to valid paths, then load balancing effect is achieved in some scenarios, but multiple flowcells cannot be prevented from being forwarded to same path causing congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static round-robin allocation to dynamic path selection based on real-time congestion status. The forwarding device dynamically adjusts path selection for each flowcell based on collected congestion information, making the load balancing mechanism adaptive to current network conditions rather than following a fixed sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter used for path selection from sequential index (round-robin) to congestion extent value. By selecting paths based on minimal congestion rather than predetermined sequence, the system optimizes load distribution according to actual network state, preventing multiple flowcells from converging on already congested paths.
3Reliability
If all n paths are monitored for congestion status, then complete network awareness is achieved, but system complexity and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the set of n available paths into d sampling paths (where d < n). The controller selects a subset of paths to monitor for congestion status, reducing the monitoring burden while maintaining representative network awareness. This segmented approach balances comprehensiveness with operational feasibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A data packet forwarding method and apparatus, where the method includes collecting, by a source switch according to a preset sampling period, congestion extents of d sampling paths in n paths, storing congestion extent indication information of each sampling path, where d is less than n, selecting, according to the congestion extent indication information, a first target sampling path with a smallest congestion extent at a first time point, forwarding a first data packet using the first target sampling path, storing an identifier of a first data flowcell to which the first data packet belongs forwarding a second data packet using the first target sampling path when an identifier of a second data flowcell to which the second data packet belongs is the same as the identifier of the first data flowcell.