SDN-Based Bandwidth Allocation for Network Congestion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data center switches fail to effectively address network congestion, leading to packet losses due to momentary data bursts, which traditional solutions like increasing switch capacity or Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) cannot scale for concurrent data flows exceeding 35 connections.
Innovation Solution
A method for adjusting bandwidth allocation in a communications network by monitoring data flows, determining fair-share bandwidth allocations based on weight values and link capacities, and adjusting allocations dynamically to manage congestion without requiring extensive switch capacity upgrades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) functionality is utilized to control sending rate, then packet loss is reduced, but the solution is not scalable for concurrent data flows exceeding 35 connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an SDN controller as an intermediary between network switches and end hosts. The controller monitors network conditions, tracks active flows, and dynamically adjusts bandwidth allocation by modifying TCP advertisement windows. This centralized control mechanism enables scalable congestion management for thousands of concurrent flows without requiring ECN functionality at each switch, resolving the scalability limitation of traditional ECN-based solutions.
2Quantity of substance
If switch capacity is increased to address network congestion, then bandwidth availability improves, but the solution does not effectively address packet loss due to momentary data bursts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation where the SDN controller continuously monitors network conditions and adjusts bandwidth allocation in real-time based on actual traffic demands. The controller calculates fair-share bandwidth allocations and dynamically modifies TCP advertisement windows to match current network capacity and flow requirements. This dynamic adjustment mechanism effectively handles momentary data bursts by adapting bandwidth allocation to instantaneous traffic patterns, preventing packet loss without requiring excessive static switch capacity.
3Reliability
If Fair-Share bandwidth allocation is implemented dynamically, then Quality of Service for premium flows is maintained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The SDN controller serves as a centralized intermediary that handles all complexity of fair-share bandwidth allocation, weight value management, and QoS policy enforcement. Network switches are simplified to basic forwarding devices that execute controller directives. This separation of control and forwarding planes concentrates complexity in the software controller rather than distributing it across multiple network devices, making the system easier to manage and update while maintaining QoS guarantees for premium flows.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems of adjusting bandwidth allocation by a network element in a communications network includes monitoring a data flow traversing a target port, determining a bandwidth allocation for the target port, determining a fair-share bandwidth allocation for the target port, and adjusting the bandwidth allocation for the target port based on the fair-share bandwidth allocation. The bandwidth allocation for the target port is a bandwidth that is currently allocated for the data flow. The fair-share bandwidth allocation is a proportional allocation of a total bandwidth of the network element.