Video Stream Load Balancing via Real-Time Interface Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The variable nature of video content rates and data rates makes it challenging to accurately estimate data traffic, leading to inefficient load balancing and increased network infrastructure requirements for delivering video content.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a network device with processing logic to determine real-time traffic loads across multiple physical interfaces, identify the interface with the lowest load, and send video streams through that interface when the total load remains below a pre-defined threshold, optimizing traffic distribution and infrastructure utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional load balancing is used among servers and network links, then overall utilization efficiency of network components is improved, but variable video content rates prevent accurate estimation of data traffic, requiring increased network infrastructure to provide headroom
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic load balancing by continuously monitoring real-time traffic loads on multiple physical interfaces and dynamically selecting the interface with the lowest current load for each video stream request. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to respond to variable video content rates in real-time, eliminating the need for static infrastructure headroom while maintaining high utilization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by measuring current traffic loads on each physical interface and using this information to make intelligent routing decisions. The load balancing algorithm receives feedback about actual traffic conditions and adjusts its behavior accordingly, selecting interfaces based on real-time conditions rather than predetermined configurations, thereby optimizing infrastructure utilization.
2Reliability
If increased network infrastructure is deployed to provide headroom for ineffective load balancing, then quality of service is maintained, but network efficiency decreases due to underutilization of available capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic load monitoring and adaptive interface selection to maintain quality of service without requiring excessive infrastructure. By continuously assessing current traffic conditions and dynamically routing video streams to the least loaded interface, the system maintains reliable service delivery while maximizing the utilization of existing network capacity, thereby improving overall network efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of load balancing by transitioning from static, predetermined load distribution to dynamic, real-time parameter adjustment. The load balancing algorithm adapts its behavior based on measured traffic conditions, changing which interface is selected for each video stream based on current load parameters, thus maintaining service quality while improving efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of delivering video content includes receiving a request for a video stream at a network device of a video distribution network. The request is received via a network link associated with a link aggregation group. The method includes determining a current real-time traffic load at each of a plurality of physical interfaces associated with the link aggregation group at the network device. Further, the method includes identifying an interface having a lowest traffic load of the plurality of physical interfaces. The lowest traffic load is lower than a pre-defined threshold. The method includes determining a total traffic load for the identified interface. The total traffic load includes an estimated traffic load corresponding to the requested video stream and including the lowest traffic load. The method also includes sending the requested video stream via the identified interface when the total traffic load is lower than the pre-defined threshold.