Router Packet Arbitration Using Dynamic QoS-Based Weights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network traffic arbitration methods prioritize high-priority traffic at the expense of lower-priority traffic, leading to suboptimal network utilization and diminished service quality for less critical applications, particularly in networks with diverse and fluctuating traffic patterns.
Innovation Solution
A network traffic arbitration method that calculates arbitration weights based on Quality-of-Service (QoS) priority values, using a weighted round-robin approach to ensure equitable transmission of both high-priority and lower-priority packets by recording traffic parameters in a history table and adjusting weights accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-priority traffic is prioritized in network traffic arbitration, then service quality for critical applications is improved, but network utilization becomes suboptimal and lower-priority traffic experiences starvation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the arbitration weight parameter based on observed traffic patterns and QoS priority values. Instead of using fixed priority weights, the system adjusts weights in real-time by monitoring traffic parameters such as packet count, byte count, and inter-arrival time, allowing the arbitration mechanism to adapt to fluctuating traffic conditions and prevent starvation of lower-priority traffic while maintaining service quality for critical applications
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism by observing traffic parameters during an observation window and using this information to calculate arbitration weights. The traffic history table stores observed parameters, and this feedback loop allows the arbitration process to continuously adapt to changing traffic patterns, ensuring both high-priority traffic receives timely service and lower-priority traffic maintains equitable transmission opportunities
2Productivity
If weighted round-robin arbitration is used to balance traffic transmission, then equitable transmission of lower-priority packets is improved, but service quality for high-priority packets may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The arbitration weight parameter is dynamically adjusted based on QoS priority values and observed traffic patterns. High-priority traffic receives higher weights when its volume is low, ensuring timely service, while the system prevents weight values from becoming so high that lower-priority traffic is completely starved. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by making weights adaptive rather than fixed
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static arbitration weights to dynamic weights that change based on real-time traffic conditions. The arbitration mechanism adapts its behavior by continuously updating weights based on observed traffic parameters and QoS priorities, allowing it to respond to fluctuating traffic patterns and maintain both equitable transmission and high service quality under varying conditions
3Productivity
If arbitration weights are dynamically adjusted based on traffic patterns, then network performance is improved, but device complexity increases due to traffic history table and observation window mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The arbitration mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: an observation window for collecting traffic data, a traffic history table for storing parameters, a weight calculation module for computing arbitration weights, and an arbitration execution unit for applying weights. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, managing complexity through modular design while achieving improved network performance
Data Source
AI summary
A method for network traffic arbitration includes, at a network router, receiving two or more network packets over two or more input ports. During an observation window, traffic parameters for the two or more network packets are stored in a traffic history table, the traffic parameters including a Quality-of-Service (QOS) priority value for a network packet of the two or more network packets. Based at least in part on the traffic parameters recorded in the traffic history table, including the QoS priority value, arbitration weights are calculated for each of the two or more input ports for a weighted round robin arbitration process.