Traffic Shaping Using Constant Rate Emitter to Prevent Burst Overload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traffic shaping algorithms, such as dual token bucket algorithms, fail to effectively limit traffic rates during the start of burst periods, leading to short bursts that can overwhelm downstream network elements, especially when high-bandwidth devices transmit to lower-bandwidth devices.
Innovation Solution
A traffic shaping method using a sustained rate token bucket and a constant rate emitter, where the adjusted transmission rate is derived from the peak rate, peak burst size, sustained rate, and sustained burst size, enforcing a steady transmission rate during burst periods to prevent overwhelming downstream devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dual token bucket algorithm is used for traffic shaping, then traffic can be shaped according to service level agreements, but short bursts at line rate can still overwhelm downstream network elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a constant rate emitter as an intermediary component between the dual token bucket algorithm and the actual traffic transmission. This mediator enforces a calculated adjusted peak rate that prevents downstream overload while maintaining service level agreement compliance. The constant rate emitter acts as a buffer that smooths out the bursty traffic patterns that would otherwise directly impact downstream elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the traditional peak rate parameter into an adjusted peak rate by applying a calculation that incorporates both peak and sustained rate parameters. This parameter transformation ensures that the traffic shaping mechanism enforces a more conservative rate limit during burst periods, preventing downstream network elements from being overwhelmed while still allowing legitimate burst traffic within service level agreements.
2Speed
If traffic is allowed to burst at peak rate, then transmission speed is improved, but traffic rate control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic traffic rate control by continuously monitoring token bucket states and adjusting the effective transmission rate accordingly. The system transitions between different operational modes (sustained rate, peak rate, and adjusted peak rate) based on real-time conditions, allowing optimal transmission speed while maintaining precise rate control through adaptive adjustment of the constant rate emitter parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for a traffic shaper that uses a traffic shaping algorithm based on a sustained rate token bucket and a constant rate emitter. The sustained rate token bucket uses a plurality of tokens based on the sustained rate and the sustained burst size. The constant rate emitter allows transmission of traffic at an adjusted transmission rate, where the adjusted transmission rate is derived from the peak rate, peak burst size, sustained rate and sustained burst size.