TSDN Controller Link Capacity Adjustment for Network Congestion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for managing traffic in transport software-defined networks are time-consuming and inefficient, relying on manual identification of congestion points and resulting in suboptimal network utilization, as they fail to proactively adjust link capacities to accommodate changes in traffic flow.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a TSDN controller to receive traffic information, determine changes or anticipated changes, identify congested links by solving an optimization problem for maximizing network utility, adjust link capacities to decrease congestion, and update network configuration datasets, thereby proactively managing network congestion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual identification of congestion points is used, then network management can be performed with simple systems, but the process becomes time-consuming and results in less efficient network utilization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork utilization efficiencyVSAvoidtime for congestion identification

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically identifying congested links through optimization problem solving without requiring manual intervention. The TSDN controller autonomously monitors network state, solves optimization problems to identify congestion, and adjusts link capacities automatically, enabling the network to manage itself and eliminate time losses associated with manual identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/manual system of congestion identification with an automated computational system. Instead of manual inspection and identification processes, the system uses optimization problem solving algorithms to automatically detect congested links, substituting human effort with computational mechanisms that operate continuously and efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If manual identification and adjustment of link capacities is performed, then system complexity is reduced, but network response time increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork response speedVSAvoidcontroller complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes manual mechanical processes with automated computational mechanisms. The TSDN controller uses optimization problem solving to automatically identify congested links and determine capacity adjustments, replacing manual analysis and decision-making with algorithmic processes that operate rapidly and continuously, improving response speed despite increased computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The optimization problem solving process acts as an intermediary between network state monitoring and link capacity adjustment. The TSDN controller introduces this computational intermediary that processes network information, identifies congestion through dual variable analysis, and generates capacity adjustment decisions, enabling automated rapid response while managing complexity through structured problem-solving frameworks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If conventional manual methods are used for flow rerouting and capacity adjustment, then implementation is simpler, but network utilization efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork utilization efficiencyVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces simple manual operational methods with automated computational mechanisms. The TSDN controller uses optimization problem solving to automatically identify congested links and determine capacity adjustments, substituting manual analysis and decision-making with algorithmic processes that operate continuously and efficiently, improving network utilization despite increased operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically monitoring network state, identifying congestion through optimization problem solving, and adjusting link capacities without requiring manual intervention. This autonomous operation improves network utilization efficiency by continuously optimizing capacity allocation based on real-time network conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10044621B2Methods and systems for transport SDN traffic engineering using dual variables

Publication Date: 2018.08.07 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

Methods and systems for managing a network. A TSDN controller determines a change or an anticipated change in traffic in the network. The controller identifies one or more congested links in the network by solving an optimization problem for maximizing network utility to accommodate the change or anticipated change. Solving the optimization problem includes solving for a set of link constraint dual variables associated with links of the network. The link capacity of one or more links of the network is adjusted to decrease the congestion.