Switch Latency Map for Dynamic Flow Rerouting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network routing technologies often select routes randomly or without knowledge of downstream network characteristics, leading to non-optimal routing, particularly for latency-sensitive flows, and fail to dynamically adjust routing based on changing latency distributions.
Innovation Solution
Creating and dynamically updating a latency map within the network to monitor latency issues and adjust routing, using latency probe packets to identify and reroute flows through lower latency routes, thereby reducing overall latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a route is selected randomly or without knowledge of downstream network characteristics, then the routing process is simple and fast, but the routing performance is non-optimal and latency is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by proactively probing multiple routes before actual data transmission occurs. Latency probe packets are sent periodically to measure and collect latency information about available routes, so that when a flow needs to be routed, the switch already has latency maps and routing decisions are pre-informed by this advance intelligence gathering.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where latency probe packets continuously monitor network conditions and return latency information to the source switch. This feedback loop enables the switch to update its latency maps with current network state information, allowing dynamic adjustment of routing decisions based on real-time performance data from previously selected routes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flow is fixed to a selected route for its duration, then the routing decision is simple and stable, but the flow cannot adapt to changing network conditions and may remain on a lower performance route
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static route assignment to dynamic routing by continuously updating latency maps based on ongoing probe packet measurements. The latency maps are maintained and updated throughout the flow's lifetime, enabling the routing decision to adapt dynamically to changing network conditions while maintaining stability through structured updates rather than constant fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from latency probe packets to monitor network conditions during flow execution. When latency changes are detected through the return of probe packets, the source switch receives updated information and can adjust the routing decision accordingly, allowing the flow to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining reliable operation through measured and controlled adjustments.
3Productivity
If latency probe packets are sent periodically to monitor network conditions, then routing can be dynamically adjusted based on real-time data, but network overhead is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic action by sending latency probe packets at regular intervals rather than continuously. This periodic probing strategy provides sufficient network condition monitoring to enable informed routing decisions while minimizing the total number of probe packets transmitted, thereby balancing routing optimization needs against network overhead constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by having the source switch itself generate, transmit, and process latency probe packets to monitor its own network paths. The source switch uses the returned probe packets to update its latency maps and make routing decisions, eliminating the need for external monitoring systems or complex centralized control while achieving effective routing optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
A switch creates and dynamically updates a latency map of a network to adjust routing of flows. Further, the network is monitored to detect latency issues and trigger a dynamic adjustment of routing based on the latency map. In this manner, a flow can be routed along a route (i.e., a faster route) that provides less latency than other available routes. The latency map can be generated based on latency probe packets that are issued from and returned to the source switch. By evaluating many such latent probe packets that have traveled along many available routes (e.g., corresponding to various ports of the switch), the switch or associated administrative logic can dynamically adjust the latency map to updated latency information of available routes. Therefore, responsive to a trigger, the source switch can dynamically adjust the routing of a flow based on latency issues discerned from the network.