Switch Node Status Advertising for Dynamic Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network switches and routers often experience 'blocking' even when they have not reached their theoretical maximum throughput, leading to inefficiencies in data routing due to lack of real-time status information sharing among nodes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where intermediate routing devices advertise and receive status information such as CPU utilization, memory usage, and quality of service (QoS) to make informed routing decisions independently of central management, allowing data to be routed based on current network conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If switches block traffic to prevent congestion, then network reliability is improved, but throughput is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic blocking decisions based on real-time status information exchanged between switches. Instead of static blocking, the system dynamically adjusts blocking behavior based on current network conditions, allowing switches to block only when necessary and for only as long as needed, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving throughput when conditions permit
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where switches exchange status information about their blocking states and network conditions. This feedback loop enables switches to make informed decisions about when to block traffic and when to allow it, optimizing the balance between reliability and throughput based on actual network state rather than predetermined rules
2Device complexity
If switches maintain simple blocking mechanisms, then device complexity is reduced, but routing efficiency is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the blocking decision-making process into modular components: status information collection, status information exchange, and blocking decision logic. This segmentation allows each component to remain relatively simple while the combination achieves efficient routing, as each switch only needs to implement basic status tracking and exchange protocols rather than complex centralized control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables switches to autonomously make blocking decisions based on their own status information and received information from neighboring switches. Each switch serves itself by independently evaluating whether blocking is necessary, eliminating the need for complex centralized management while achieving routing efficiency through distributed self-service decision-making
3Loss of information
If routing decisions are made without real-time status information, then information loss is reduced, but network performance is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous status information exchange between switches through protocol messages sent at regular intervals or upon significant events. This continuous action ensures that routing decisions are always based on current network conditions, maintaining both information availability and network performance by eliminating gaps in status knowledge while avoiding the overhead of constant updates
Data Source
AI summary
A first of a plurality of intermediate routing devices is operable to advertise to and/or receive status information from remaining one(s) of the intermediate routing devices. The intermediate routing devices may store and/or analyze the advertised and/or received status information and may make routing decisions based on it. The first routing device may advertise status information for itself and/or for one or more other intermediate routing devices. Data may be routed based on type of data, service level and/or priority associated with the data. The advertised and/or received status information comprises current status information, predicted status information and/or past status information which may be based on one or more of port status, CPU utilization, memory utilization, quality of service (QoS), bandwidth utilization, bandwidth availability, traffic load, congestion, number of connections handled and capability to provide a particular level of service.