Policy Server Bandwidth Allocation via Unified Resource Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network management systems face conflicts due to policy inconsistencies when allocating bandwidth and resources among multiple subscribers, as they are typically based on isolated aspects of network operation rather than comprehensive subscriber preferences and service selections.
Innovation Solution
A policy server is used to communicate information from multiple sources, determining bandwidth allocation and resource distribution based on subscriber preferences and service selections, incorporating data on application usage, bandwidth conditions, and network conditions, and implementing these decisions across network elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If policy rules are based on isolated aspects of network operation, then individual policy decisions can be made independently, but policy conflicts occur between different policies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple isolated policy decision-making functions into a single centralized policy server that receives information from multiple sources and makes coordinated decisions. This consolidation eliminates policy conflicts by ensuring all policies are managed through a unified system that considers the complete network state and subscriber preferences, rather than allowing independent policies to conflict with each other.
2Reliability
If comprehensive information from multiple sources is processed by a policy server, then resource allocation becomes more accurate and consistent, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The policy server is designed as a universal system that performs multiple functions: receiving information from diverse sources (network elements, subscriber profiles, application data), processing this information against multiple policies, making coordinated resource allocation decisions, and communicating with various network elements. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems, managing complexity through unification rather than proliferation of components.
3Productivity
If bandwidth and network resources are shared among numerous subscribers, then network capacity is utilized efficiently, but resource allocation conflicts arise
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the policy server continuously receives information from network elements about current resource usage, bandwidth availability, and network conditions. Based on this feedback, the policy server dynamically adjusts resource allocation decisions to maintain policy consistency while maximizing network capacity utilization. The feedback loop ensures that allocation decisions are based on real-time network state rather than static rules, resolving conflicts between multiple subscribers sharing finite resources.
Data Source
AI summary
Information from multiple sources can be communicated to a policy server. Based on that information, the policy server can determine allocation of bandwidth, transmission priority and/or other network resources based on preferences and/or service selections provided by a subscriber and communicate information about those determinations to other network elements for policy implementation. The information provided to a policy server for determining network resource allocation can include information about one or more applications executing at a customer equipment device, information about access network bandwidth usage, information about services for which one or more devices is authorized, and/or information about network conditions.