Virtual Group Member List Segmentation for Broadcast Overhead Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtual group broadcast technologies incur significant overhead due to membership management and message delivery guarantees, which can be improved by reducing the number of named process groups through multiplexing virtual channels over a single physical channel.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that create a virtual group member list, send broadcast messages to listed members, retain responding members, and remove non-responding members after a heartbeat or reserve time period, allowing for efficient management of virtual groups and reducing broadcast messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If virtual group broadcast technologies are used to multiplex multiple virtual channels over a single physical channel, then the number of named process groups is reduced, but significant overhead remains due to membership management and message delivery guarantees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the virtual group member list into multiple subsets and distributes them across different processes. Each process maintains only a portion of the member list, reducing individual process memory overhead and enabling parallel message routing decisions. This segmentation directly addresses the overhead problem while maintaining the reduced number of named process groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements selective broadcasting where processes only send broadcast messages to members in their assigned subset rather than to all virtual group members. This partial action reduces the total number of message transmissions required, directly reducing the overhead from message delivery while still ensuring all members receive necessary messages.
2Reliability
If all physical group members receive multiplexed messages to ensure delivery guarantees, then message delivery reliability is maintained, but the number of broadcast messages increases
Solution Approach 1:
The member list is segmented into subsets assigned to different processes. Each process broadcasts messages only to its assigned subset members, reducing the total number of broadcast messages from O(n) to O(1) per process while ensuring all members receive messages through their designated process.
Solution Approach 2:
Processes act as intermediaries that receive messages from the virtual group and distribute them to their assigned subset members. This intermediary approach maintains delivery guarantees by ensuring messages reach all members through a structured distribution path while reducing the number of direct broadcast messages required.
3Productivity
If virtual group member lists are maintained to enable selective message routing, then message routing efficiency is improved, but membership management overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The member list is divided into smaller subsets that are easier to manage and update. Each process maintains only its assigned subset, reducing the complexity of membership management operations such as additions, deletions, and updates while preserving routing efficiency through the distributed structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Processes autonomously manage their assigned subset of the member list, including handling additions, deletions, and updates without requiring centralized coordination for each operation. This self-service approach reduces overall membership management overhead while maintaining routing efficiency through local decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for reducing broadcast messages are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as an apparatus for reducing broadcast messages. The apparatus may comprise a module to create a virtual group member list associated with at least one virtual group comprising at least members of a physical group. The apparatus may also comprise a module to send a broadcast message to members listed in the virtual group member list. The apparatus may further comprise a module to retain a responding member in the virtual group member list if a broadcast message is received from the responding member. The apparatus may still further comprise a module to remove a non-responding member from the virtual group member list if a broadcast message is not received from the non-responding member.