Dynamic Traffic Steering via QOE-Based Path Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current traffic steering policies in wireless networks, such as cloud networks, are static and do not adapt to changing network conditions like variable bandwidth, nor do they prioritize applications dynamically, leading to suboptimal data packet transfer.
Innovation Solution
A tunnel-less architecture that uses a controller Net Cloud Services Gateway (C-NCSG) to generate automated steering policies based on a Quality of Experience (QOE) score, which measures bandwidth, loss, and latency at each hop, and incorporates customer prioritization to dynamically steer traffic across multiple clouds and networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If static traffic steering policies are used in the gateway, then the system is simple to implement, but the traffic transfer optimization is insufficient due to inability to adapt to variable network conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic traffic steering policies that automatically adapt to changing network conditions. The gateway continuously monitors network parameters (bandwidth, latency, packet loss) and dynamically adjusts traffic routing decisions, transforming the static policy system into a dynamic one that optimizes traffic transfer efficiency in real-time without requiring complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where network performance metrics are continuously measured and fed back to the traffic steering module. This feedback loop enables the gateway to learn from past performance and automatically adjust routing policies to improve traffic transfer efficiency while maintaining implementation feasibility through incremental enhancement
2Ease of operation
If static policies are used without considering application prioritization, then the gateway operation is simple, but the highest priority application packets are not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing differential treatment of different application traffic flows. Instead of uniform static policies, the system assigns different priority levels and routing strategies to different applications based on their specific quality of service requirements. High-priority applications receive optimized routing with stricter quality constraints, while lower-priority applications use standard routing, thereby improving overall service reliability without complicating gateway operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters dynamically based on application priority. The gateway monitors application performance metrics and adjusts routing parameters (such as path selection, bandwidth allocation, and quality thresholds) specifically for high-priority applications. This parameter adjustment mechanism improves quality of service for critical applications while maintaining simple operation for the overall system through automated rather than manual control
3Measurement precision
If multiple paths are monitored with detailed QOE measurement at each hop, then the traffic steering accuracy is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network monitoring function into distributed components at each hop along the path. Instead of centralized monitoring of all paths, each network node independently measures local quality parameters (bandwidth, latency, packet loss) for its outgoing interfaces. This segmentation reduces the complexity at any single point while maintaining overall measurement precision through aggregation of local measurements along each path
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediary elements (such as embedded control packets or probe messages) that facilitate quality measurement without requiring direct complex interaction between all network components. These intermediaries carry quality metrics through the network, enabling accurate end-to-end path assessment while simplifying the measurement architecture by decoupling the measurement function from the data plane
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a system for steering traffic in a wireless network. The method and system include an ingress point and an egress point of the wireless network with a plurality of paths between the two points. A plurality of hops are located along the plurality of paths. The plurality of paths may be bound as a single pipe at a logical level. The system may determine a quality of experience (QOE) score. Automated steering policies may be based on the QOE score. Traffic may be steered at each hop based on the automated steering policies. The QOE score may be determined by measuring bandwidth, loss, latency, and jitter at each hop. A customer may provide prioritization at an application level and the automated steering policies may also be based on the customer prioritization.