Target Issue Interval Mechanism for Network Buffer Overflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network devices face inefficiencies in data packet transmission due to finite bandwidth, leading to output port backups when the input rate exceeds the output rate, resulting in buffer overflow issues.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Target Issue Interval (TII) mechanism where source nodes adjust their data packet transmission rates based on the output buffer's fill level, using request and response messages to dynamically modify the TII value, ensuring fair bandwidth allocation across streams and preventing buffer overflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data packets are transmitted at high input rates to maximize network utilization, then productivity is improved, but output ports become backed up and buffer overflow occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network device monitors output queue depth and dynamically adjusts the Target Issue Interval (TII) parameter. When the output queue depth exceeds a threshold, the device increases the TII value, which signals source nodes to reduce their transmission rates. This closed-loop feedback system prevents buffer overflow while maximizing network utilization by adapting transmission rates to current network conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the TII parameter dynamic rather than static. The TII value is continuously adjusted based on real-time output queue depth measurements. When queues are shallow, TII is reduced to allow higher transmission rates; when queues deepen, TII is increased to throttle input rates. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to adapt to changing network conditions and prevent buffer overflow.
2Productivity
If the Target Issue Interval is reduced to increase transmission rates, then productivity is improved, but the output queue depth increases leading to potential overflow
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors output queue depth and uses this information to adjust the TII parameter. When queue depth increases, the feedback mechanism triggers an increase in TII, which automatically reduces the transmission rate. This feedback loop ensures that productivity gains are achieved only when queue depth is within acceptable limits, preventing the harmful effect of excessive queue accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The network device autonomously regulates its own input rate by adjusting the TII parameter based on its internal queue depth measurements. No external controller is needed; the system self-regulates by translating queue depth information into appropriate TII adjustments, thereby controlling its own transmission rate to prevent overflow.
3Productivity
If multiple streams share the output port simultaneously, then productivity is improved through parallel transmission, but fair bandwidth allocation becomes difficult to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a universal TII-based rate control mechanism to all streams sharing an output port. Instead of implementing complex stream-specific allocation policies, the same feedback-driven TII adjustment logic is applied universally to all streams. This simplifies bandwidth allocation management while still enabling parallel transmission, as all streams respond to the same queue depth-based signals in a fair and consistent manner.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for using target issue intervals are provided. Request messages may identify the size of a data packet. A target issue interval may be determined based on the request messages. The target issue interval may be used to insert a delay between sending subsequent request messages.