Congestion Avoidance in Slice-Based Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network architectures, particularly in 5G networks, face challenges in scaling Quality of Service (QoS) and congestion avoidance, leading to adverse effects on slice-based networks, where traditional methods can throttle other slices and fail to meet Service Level Agreements (SLA) requirements, especially in scenarios like 911 calls and self-driving vehicle communications.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring module communicates with agents on physical devices like routers or servers to analyze traffic and report telematics data, allowing for the selection and implementation of alternate slice paths that meet SLA requirements by distributing traffic across the network, using programmable ASICs and P4 language for efficient routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional flow control mechanisms like PFC are used to notify upstream switches about congestion and throttle traffic at the source, then congestion is reduced, but other slices are adversely affected and SLA requirements are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into multiple logical slices that can be independently managed and monitored. Each slice has its own congestion control mechanisms and performance metrics, allowing differentiated handling of traffic from different slices rather than applying uniform throttling across all traffic
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying slice-specific congestion control policies at each network node. Instead of global throttling, each slice receives customized quality of service treatment based on its specific requirements, ensuring that congestion control in one slice does not adversely affect other slices
2Measurement precision
If software-based monitoring probes are used to calculate latency between end points, then latency measurement is achieved, but the monitoring does not scale in large Telco networks with tens of millions of users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based monitoring probes with hardware-based monitoring capabilities embedded in network devices. This substitution moves monitoring functions from the software layer to the hardware layer, enabling high-speed, scalable monitoring that does not overwhelm the underlying physical hardware even in networks with tens of millions of users
3Productivity
If network slicing is implemented to allow multiple logical networks on shared physical infrastructure, then resource utilization is improved, but congestion relief mechanisms do not scale and SLA requirements cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feedback mechanisms where network devices monitor congestion conditions and performance metrics for each slice in real-time. This feedback information is used to dynamically adjust resource allocation and routing decisions, ensuring that SLA requirements are maintained even as resource utilization increases across multiple slices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-configuring slice-specific policies, resource reservations, and congestion control parameters before congestion occurs. This allows the network to proactively maintain SLA compliance by having predetermined mechanisms in place that can be activated when congestion conditions are detected
Data Source
AI summary
A system can reduce congestion in slice-based networks, such as a virtual service network (“VSN”). The system can include a monitoring module that communicates with agents on switches, such as routers or servers. The switches report telematics data to the monitoring module, which determines slice-specific performance attributes such as slice latency and slice throughput. These slice-specific performance attributes are compared against software license agreement (“SLA”) requirements. When the SLA is not met, the monitoring module can implement a new slice path for the slice to reduce the congestion.