QoS Tagging for Data Backup Traffic Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Corporate networks face inefficiencies due to the high resource intensity and time-consuming nature of data backup processes, which can lead to network bandwidth insufficiency, causing delays and packet loss for time-sensitive traffic like VoIP and video/audio streaming, as backup traffic is not differentiated from other network traffic.
Innovation Solution
Implementing Quality of Service (QoS) tagging to prioritize data backup and recovery traffic, allowing routers to manage network traffic based on specified QoS requirements, assigning priority levels to data packets, and queuing them accordingly to minimize latency and packet loss for non-backup traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data backup traffic is transmitted without differentiation from other network traffic, then network infrastructure utilization is maximized, but time-sensitive traffic experiences delays and packet loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network traffic into different priority classes using QoS tags. Backup traffic is identified and tagged with lower priority labels, while time-sensitive traffic receives higher priority tags. This segmentation allows the network to handle different traffic types differently, ensuring that backup operations do not degrade the quality of service for critical applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different quality attributes to different packets based on their type. QoS tags are applied locally to individual packets or flows, allowing routers to make granular forwarding decisions. This enables time-sensitive packets to receive preferential treatment at specific network nodes without affecting the overall network infrastructure utilization.
2Speed
If backup traffic is prioritized over other network traffic, then data backup speed is improved, but time-sensitive services like VoIP and video streaming experience degraded quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic traffic prioritization where QoS tags are applied based on real-time network conditions and traffic type. The system can dynamically adjust priority levels for backup traffic depending on network utilization, ensuring that backup operations proceed at high speed when network capacity is available, while automatically yielding to time-sensitive traffic when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the priority parameter of network packets using QoS tagging. By modifying the DSCP (Differentiated Services Code Point) or other priority parameters in packet headers, the system enables routers to differentiate between backup traffic and time-sensitive traffic, allowing backup traffic to be transmitted at high speed without compromising the quality of service for critical applications.
3Reliability
If QoS tagging is implemented to differentiate backup traffic, then quality of service for time-sensitive traffic is improved, but network infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service QoS tagging where the backup software automatically identifies and tags its own traffic without requiring manual network configuration. The backup application inspects its outbound packets, determines their priority based on the type of data being backed up, and applies appropriate QoS tags automatically. This eliminates the need for complex manual network policies and reduces configuration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses universal QoS tagging mechanisms that work across different network equipment and protocols. By leveraging standardized DSCP tags and existing QoS infrastructure, the solution achieves quality of service differentiation without requiring proprietary or complex custom configurations. The same tagging approach works across various router models and network protocols, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems, methods and computer program products for prioritization of data backup and recovery traffic using quality of service (QoS) tagging. An example method includes specifying Quality of Service (QoS) requirements for different types of network traffic, including QoS requirements for one or more data backup or recovery tasks, wherein the QoS requirements correspond to a network transmission priority level of the network traffic; receiving a data backup or recovery task, by a backup application; analyzing the data backup or recovery task, by the backup application, to determine its QoS requirements, based on the specified QoS requirements for data backup or recovery tasks; applying one or more QoS tags to data packets associated with the data backup or recovery task, by the backup application, based on the determined QoS requirements; and assigning a network transmission priority level to the data packets, based on its QoS tags.