VoIP Border Element Load Control for Registration Flood Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
VoIP networks experience overload and failure after catastrophic events due to synchronized registration attempts by endpoints, leading to a snowballing effect that can cause major network failures.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for dynamically controlling IP packet flows in VoIP networks by using a load control server to monitor network conditions, prioritize packet flows, and configure border elements to only admit packets from authorized user elements, thereby managing network load and preventing registration floods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If endpoints attempt to re-register simultaneously after a catastrophic failure, then all endpoints can quickly restore their registrations, but the network becomes overloaded and a large percentage of registration messages fail
Solution Approach 1:
The border element proactively identifies and blocks suspicious registration patterns before they can overwhelm the network. By monitoring registration rates and detecting anomalies in advance, the system prevents overload conditions rather than reacting after they occur, thus maintaining both fast restoration and high success rates
Solution Approach 2:
The border element acts as an intermediary between endpoints and the core network. It intercepts registration messages, validates them against learned patterns, and selectively blocks or permits them. This intermediary function protects the core network from overload while still allowing legitimate registrations to proceed
2Ease of operation
If endpoints use synchronized timers for re-transmission, then the re-transmission process is simple to implement, but the synchronized attempts create a snowballing effect that exacerbates network overload
Solution Approach 1:
The border element implements feedback by monitoring registration patterns and dynamically adjusting its blocking behavior. When it detects synchronized re-transmission patterns that are exacerbating overload, it blocks those patterns while allowing legitimate traffic. This feedback loop prevents the snowballing effect without requiring complex endpoint implementations
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful synchronized re-transmission behavior into a detectable pattern. By learning normal registration patterns, the border element can identify when synchronized attempts are harmful and block them, thereby transforming what would be a network failure condition into a manageable situation
3Reliability
If the VoIP infrastructure becomes overwhelmed, then the network is protected from immediate failure, but even registered endpoint calls fail and cause more endpoints to attempt re-registration, exacerbating the overload
Solution Approach 1:
The border element learns normal call patterns and registration behaviors in advance, building a baseline of expected traffic. When overload occurs, this pre-learned knowledge enables it to quickly distinguish between legitimate traffic and harmful patterns, preventing secondary registration floods before they can develop
Solution Approach 2:
The border element serves as a protective intermediary that absorbs and filters harmful traffic patterns. By blocking suspicious registration attempts at the border, it prevents them from reaching the core network and causing additional overload, thus protecting the system during vulnerable periods
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, the present disclosure is a method and apparatus for dynamically controlling Internet Protocol packet flows in a Voice over Internet Protocol network. In one embodiment, a method for controlling flows of packets in a network includes obtaining a list identifying at least one user element that is authorized to register with the network and dynamically configuring a manner in which at least one border element handles the packets in accordance with the list.