Self-Configuring Router Processor Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network routers face challenges in efficiently assigning processors to queues across multiple network interfaces, leading to uneven workload distribution, processor overload, and resource wastage, as existing assignment schemes fail to optimize processor utilization and packet processing latency.
Innovation Solution
A self-configuring router with a resource allocator that automatically calculates and assigns processor identifiers based on normalized queue and network interface identifiers, ensuring even workload distribution by using a modulo calculation to determine processor allocation for each network interface/queue combination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple processors are assigned to handle queues from multiple network interfaces, then packet processing speed is improved, but uneven workload distribution causes some processors to be overloaded while others remain idle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic processor assignment where the resource allocator continuously monitors queue depths and processor utilization, adjusting the mapping between network interface queues and processors in real-time based on current workload conditions, preventing both overload and idle states
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where processors report their current utilization status and queue depths are monitored, allowing the resource allocator to make informed decisions about reassigning queues to balance workload across processors
2Device complexity
If processors are assigned to queues using simple round-robin assignment, then assignment complexity is reduced, but processor utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resource allocator automatically performs processor assignment and reassignment without manual intervention, using algorithms that consider current system state to optimize utilization, making the system self-adjusting rather than relying on static predetermined schemes
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes assignment parameters based on workload conditions, adjusting which processor handles which queue based on real-time metrics such as queue depth and processor utilization rate, rather than using fixed assignment rules
3Loss of time
If more processors are assigned to some queues than others, then certain network interfaces may experience reduced latency, but valuable processor resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different processor assignment strategies to different network interface queues based on their specific characteristics and current workload requirements, allowing high-priority or high-volume queues to receive more processing resources while low-utilization queues use fewer processors
Solution Approach 2:
Processor allocation is dynamically adjusted based on real-time queue depth and utilization metrics, allowing the system to temporarily allocate more processors to queues experiencing bursts of traffic while returning resources to idle queues when demand decreases
Data Source
AI summary
A self-configuring router includes a resource allocator that automatically assigns processors to queues, such that queue workload is distributed as evenly as possible among the processors, and the processors are as fully utilized as possible. Consequently, packets do not remain on queues longer than necessary, thereby decreasing latency of packets traversing the router, and available and expensive resources, namely the processors, are kept busy. The router automatically allocates its own resources (processors) to its own queues.