Pseudowire Load Balancing via Feedback-Driven Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pseudowire technology limits active usage to a single primary pseudowire per customer, leading to underutilization of backup pseudowires and inefficiencies in load balancing and redundancy in packet switched networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a communications distribution process that actively supports multiple pseudowires for multiple customers, allowing load balancing and immediate failover to non-failing pseudowires upon failure, using feedback data to optimize traffic distribution across pseudowires based on load conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single primary pseudowire is used per customer, then device complexity is reduced and operation is simplified, but pseudowire utilization is low and load balancing capability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single pseudowire function into multiple independent pseudowires (primary and backup), allowing each to operate independently. This enables load balancing across multiple pseudowires while maintaining simplified management through selective activation based on load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic pseudowire selection where the system can switch between primary and backup pseudowires based on real-time load conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the network to adapt to changing traffic patterns and optimize utilization without permanent complex configurations.
2Reliability
If backup pseudowires are maintained for redundancy, then reliability is improved, but pseudowire utilization is poor as backup pseudowires remain idle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by allowing backup pseudowires to carry traffic when primary pseudowires are overloaded or unavailable. Instead of remaining completely idle, backup pseudowires provide continuous service capability, improving both utilization and reliability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that monitor pseudowire load conditions and automatically adjust traffic distribution. When primary pseudowires reach capacity, the system receives feedback and redirects traffic to backup pseudowires, ensuring both redundancy and optimal utilization.
3Productivity
If load balancing is implemented across multiple pseudowires, then productivity and utilization are improved, but device complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service load balancing where pseudowires automatically adjust their own traffic handling based on monitored load conditions. Each pseudowire can independently accept or reject traffic based on its current state, reducing the need for complex centralized control mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one embodiment, a communications distribution process maintains at least two pseudowires through a network such that the pseudowires share a burden of delivering data through the network. The communications distribution process receives feedback data concerning operation of each pseudowire. The communications distribution process utilizes the feedback data to distribute communications to the common destination across each of the pseudowires. Additionally, the communications distribution process utilizes the feedback to establish at least one new pseudowire, in addition to the first pseudowire and the second pseudowire, for transmission of data traffic.