Token-Based Bandwidth Allocation for Interactive Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bandwidth management systems in network environments often throttle connections to prevent excessive bandwidth usage, leading to a degraded user experience and increased costs, as they lack efficient mechanisms to dynamically allocate and utilize available bandwidth.
Innovation Solution
A token-based crediting and debiting scheme is implemented, where tokens represent a portion of the total available bandwidth, allowing connections to temporarily exceed allocated limits by using stored credits or borrowing from inactive connections, ensuring responsive performance while managing overall bandwidth costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If connections are throttled to prevent excessive bandwidth usage, then bandwidth consumption is controlled, but user experience is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts bandwidth allocation by transitioning from static throttling to dynamic token-based allocation. The token bucket mechanism allows bandwidth limits to adapt in real-time based on connection activity, enabling flexible control that responds to actual usage patterns rather than enforcing fixed restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of bandwidth allocation from a fixed threshold to a dynamic token count. By representing bandwidth as discrete tokens that can be accumulated, stored, and redeemed, the system transforms the rigid parameter into a flexible one that can be adjusted based on historical usage, connection priority, and available capacity.
2Loss of energy
If static bandwidth limits are enforced, then bandwidth costs are controlled, but data bursts are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-allocating tokens to connections before actual data transfer occurs. Tokens are distributed in advance based on connection establishment, allowing connections to have immediate bandwidth availability without waiting for gradual allocation, thus enabling rapid data bursts when tokens are available.
Solution Approach 2:
Tokens serve as an intermediary mechanism between cost control and data transfer speed. Rather than directly limiting bandwidth, the system uses tokens as a mediating resource that connections must possess to access bandwidth, allowing flexible control where tokens can be accumulated during low-usage periods and spent during high-demand periods.
3Ease of operation
If bandwidth is allocated uniformly, then fairness is maintained, but efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by allowing different connections to have different token allocation rates and priorities. Rather than uniform treatment, each connection can receive tokens at different rates based on its needs, historical usage, and priority level, enabling differentiated service quality while maintaining overall system fairness through the shared token pool.
Solution Approach 2:
The token allocation system dynamically adjusts bandwidth distribution based on real-time connection characteristics and usage patterns. The system can prioritize certain connections, adjust allocation rates, and respond to changing conditions, transforming static uniform allocation into dynamic adaptive allocation that improves overall efficiency while maintaining fairness.
4Productivity
If connections are monitored continuously, then bandwidth usage is optimized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The token-based system enables self-service by allowing connections to automatically manage their own bandwidth access using their token balances. Connections present tokens for bandwidth access without requiring complex real-time negotiation or approval processes, and the system automatically refills tokens based on predefined policies, reducing the need for complex continuous monitoring and control logic.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments are directed to controlling bandwidth usage using a token-based crediting and debiting scheme and to allowing connections to temporarily exceed bandwidth allocations using token credits. In one scenario, a bandwidth managing service receives a request to establish a connection with a network. The connection is associated with various subscribers that are part of a subscription. The bandwidth managing service assigns tokens to the connection, which are distributed from a pool of tokens that represents a total available bandwidth for the network. The bandwidth managing service receives a data transfer request from a logical user to transfer data over the network connection, where the data transfer request includes at least some of the assigned tokens. The bandwidth managing service also allocates to the connection a specified amount of bandwidth commensurate with the number of assigned tokens provided in the data transfer request.