Differentiated Packet Pair Congestion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining congestion in networking components within data communication networks are inadequate, as they either fail to accurately measure one-way congestion and queuing delays or require significant resources and equipment, making it difficult to direct data flows effectively and avoid congested components.
Innovation Solution
The method involves transmitting two packets with different priority levels over the same network path, where one packet is set to the highest priority and the other to a normal traffic priority, allowing the calculation of congestion by measuring the delay between their arrivals, which is indicative of queuing delays specific to the congested component, independent of other network factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional congestion measurement methods are used, then network congestion can be detected, but the measurement is inaccurate and cannot distinguish one-way congestion from other network factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the congestion measurement into two distinct components by using two packets with different priority levels. The first packet (high priority) measures the base network delay, while the second packet (normal priority) measures the total delay including queuing. By segmenting the measurement this way, the patent isolates the queuing delay component that specifically indicates congestion at the networking component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - the differentiated packet pair - that acts as a mediator to separate and measure different delay components. The high-priority packet serves as an intermediary reference that experiences minimal queuing, allowing the normal-priority packet's additional delay to be attributed specifically to congestion at the networking component.
2Reliability
If existing congestion detection methods are deployed, then congestion can be identified, but significant resources and equipment are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by having the end applications perform congestion measurement using their own packet transmissions. The applications send differentiated packet pairs and calculate congestion values locally without requiring external monitoring equipment or specialized hardware. This eliminates the need for additional network equipment while maintaining reliable congestion detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simplified copy approach by transmitting only two packets (a packet pair) instead of requiring complex measurement equipment. These two packets contain all the necessary information to calculate congestion, replacing expensive specialized equipment with a simple packet-based measurement that can be implemented using existing network infrastructure.
3Productivity
If packets are queued in networking components, then data transmission can be managed, but small flows experience significant delays due to large flows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the priority parameter of packets to differentiate their treatment in queuing. By setting the measurement packet to high priority, it bypasses the congestion caused by normal traffic, allowing the system to measure the delay that normal packets experience without being affected by the measurement process itself. This parameter change enables accurate congestion detection while minimizing impact on actual data flows.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and computer program product for determining a congestion value in a networking component in a data network are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A first packet is set to use a first priority level and a second packet is set to use a second priority level. The second priority level is lower than the first priority level. The second packet is transmitted after the first packet to the networking component, causing the networking component to transmit the first and the second packets after they are received at the networking component. A function is applied to an arrival delay to compute the congestion value of the networking component, wherein the arrival delay comprises a length of an elapsed period between receiving a transmission of the first packet from the networking component and receiving a transmission of the second packet from the networking component.