Slow-Start Bandwidth Allocation Scaling Initial Target Rate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current bandwidth allocation mechanisms in TCP/IP networks, particularly with the slow-start mechanism, lead to inefficiencies as they over-allocate bandwidth to short-lived data flows, resulting in unutilized bandwidth that cannot be transferred to other flows due to the exponential growth rate and termination before reaching the estimated demand.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves scaling down the initial target rate for data flows to a fraction of the estimated effective rate capacity and gradually increasing it as packets are received, thereby reducing over-allocation during the slow-start phase and optimizing bandwidth utilization across the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the initial target rate is set to the estimated effective rate capacity, then the bandwidth allocation appears sufficient for the flow, but the bandwidth is over-allocated during slow-start phase and cannot be utilized by other flows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by allocating only a portion (e.g., 50%) of the estimated effective rate capacity as the initial target rate during slow-start phase. This prevents over-allocation while ensuring sufficient bandwidth is eventually provided as the flow progresses and can absorb more bandwidth without affecting other flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation by adjusting the target rate based on the flow's progression through slow-start phase. The initial target rate is set lower, and as the flow establishes itself and acknowledges packets, the target rate is increased toward the estimated effective rate capacity, allowing bandwidth to be dynamically shared among multiple flows.
2Productivity
If the target rate increases exponentially during slow-start phase, then the flow can quickly utilize available bandwidth, but short-lived flows terminate before reaching the estimated demand leaving bandwidth unutilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses partial action by setting the initial target rate to a fraction of the estimated effective rate capacity. This tempered initial allocation prevents the scenario where short-lived flows quickly consume all bandwidth and then terminate, leaving the remaining estimated capacity unutilized. Other flows can then progressively utilize this bandwidth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the bandwidth allocation system monitors flow characteristics, acknowledgment patterns, and flow duration. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts the target rate allocation strategy, particularly for flows that appear to be short-lived, to optimize overall bandwidth utilization across the network.
3Loss of energy
If the initial target rate is scaled down to a fraction of estimated capacity, then over-allocation is reduced and bandwidth is available for other flows, but the flow takes longer to reach full bandwidth potential
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a time-based or packet-count-based progression mechanism. The initial target rate is set lower for efficiency, but the system dynamically increases the target rate as the flow progresses through the slow-start phase, allowing the flow to eventually reach its full bandwidth potential while minimizing initial over-allocation waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-calculating the estimated effective rate capacity and using it to guide the progressive increase of the target rate. This preliminary estimation allows the system to plan the bandwidth allocation trajectory, balancing initial conservation with eventual fulfillment of the flow's bandwidth needs.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to improving the efficiency of bandwidth allocation schemes by adapting to slow-start mechanisms associated with network communications protocols, such as the TCP/IP protocol suite. In one implementation, the present invention scales down the initial target rate assigned to a data flow to a fraction of an initial estimate of the effective rate capacity of the communications path between two hosts. As packets are received, the target rate is gradually increased, eventually up to the detected rate capacity of the communications path. Implementations of the present invention improve the efficiency of bandwidth allocation by reducing the over-allocation of bandwidth to data flows during the slow-start phase, leaving more bandwidth available to other data flows.