Packet Switching Egress Rate Control for Multicast Unicast Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traffic control methods in Packet Optical Transport Networks (PTNs) struggle to accurately manage and guarantee the committed information rates of both unicast and multicast services, leading to congestion and service quality issues, especially in scenarios where P2MP services are squeezed by other services.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves setting the egress information rate of multicast and unicast services at a packet switching apparatus to be greater than or equal to their committed information rates, with specific formulas for allocating egress information rates based on configuration information, ensuring that the committed information rates are met and congestion is alleviated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multicast packets are duplicated inside the device for each egress port, then multicast service coverage is improved, but total traffic volume expands and congestion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments multicast traffic management by creating separate service queues for unicast and multicast packets at the network-side unit. This segmentation allows independent traffic control and rate limiting for each service type, preventing multicast traffic expansion from congesting the overall system while maintaining full multicast service coverage across multiple egress ports.
2Device complexity
If unicast and multicast packets are placed in the same queue for traffic management, then device complexity is reduced, but packets from different source ports cannot be distinguished during queue scheduling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the traffic management system into separate service queues - one for unicast packets and another for multicast packets. Each queue maintains independent scheduling and control mechanisms. This segmentation enables precise identification and differentiation of packet sources while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through structured queue separation.
3Device complexity
If traffic control is implemented before entering the network port, then traffic management is simplified, but backpressure signals cannot be correctly transmitted to entry ports when traffic exceeds port information rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary traffic control by setting up service queues with configured shaping parameters before traffic enters the network port. This preliminary action prepares the system to handle traffic control requirements in advance. Additionally, the system maintains the capability to transmit backpressure signals to entry ports when traffic exceeds information rate, ensuring reliable congestion feedback while keeping traffic control implementation simplified through pre-configured queue parameters.
4Device complexity
If multicast service adopts self-authorization manner for traffic control, then switching network complexity is reduced, but traffic control cannot be accurately implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the authorization mechanism by implementing separate service queues for unicast and multicast traffic at the network-side unit. Unicast traffic receives authorized control through shaping parameters, while multicast traffic is managed through dedicated service queues with independent rate limiting. This segmentation enables accurate traffic control for both service types while keeping the switching network complexity reduced through structured queue management rather than complex per-packet authorization.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a traffic control method, system, a packet switching apparatus, and a user equipment, wherein the method includes: receiving configuration information, wherein a committed information rate of a multicast service and/or a unicast service is carried in the configuration information; and setting an egress information rate of the multicast service and/or the unicast service at a packet switching apparatus according to the committed information rate. By employing the above technical solution, a problem that the service traffic is difficult to guarantee in existing technology can be solved, and a user requirement for successful unicast service or multicast service can be achieved.