Ticket-Based Rate Limiting for Server Resource Overload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in efficiently managing high volumes of requests to resources, leading to overloading and inefficient rate limiting techniques that are memory-intensive or unfair, often resulting in discarded requests and user frustration.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize ticket control and rate limiting mechanisms to regulate access to resources by grouping requests into windows of time, determining ticket acceptance based on utilization and throughput rates, and adjusting policies dynamically to conserve resources and prevent overloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rate limiting techniques such as leaky bucket queues are implemented to avoid overloading resources, then resource overload is prevented, but memory usage increases and requests may be discarded unfairly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments requests into groups based on time windows and assigns tickets to each group. This segmentation allows the system to track and control requests in discrete units without maintaining large in-memory queues, thereby preventing resource overload while minimizing memory usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by issuing tickets to clients before they execute their requests. These tickets contain pre-calculated rate limiting information, allowing clients to self-regulate their request rates without requiring continuous server-side queue management, thus reducing memory requirements while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If rate limiting techniques are implemented to control request volume, then resource protection is improved, but request servicing fairness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic rate limiting by dividing time into windows and issuing tickets at regular intervals. Each ticket represents permission to make a certain number of requests within a specific time window. This periodic approach ensures fair distribution of resource access over time while protecting resources from overload.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the server monitors resource utilization and adjusts ticket issuance rates dynamically. When resources are underutilized, more tickets are issued; when overloaded, ticket issuance is reduced. This feedback loop maintains both resource protection and request fairness by adapting to actual system conditions.
3Productivity
If traditional rate limiting is used to manage high request volumes, then throughput control is achieved, but request discard rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic rate limiting where the ticket issuance rate adjusts based on real-time resource utilization metrics. When resources are underutilized, the system dynamically increases the number of tickets issued, allowing higher throughput. When resources are overloaded, ticket issuance is dynamically reduced, preventing overload while minimizing request discards through smooth transitions rather than hard limits.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for controlling access to resources. Receiving, at a server from user devices, requests associated with a resource. Transmitting, by the server to the user devices, tickets associated with the requests, each ticket associated with a respective one of a plurality of groups, the groups identifying requests received in successive windows of time. Receiving, at the server from one of the user devices, a subsequent request, the subsequent request identifying one of the tickets previously transmitted to that user device. Determining that the identified one of the tickets should be accepted and the subsequent request should be serviced.