VPN Bandwidth Cost Calculation Using Traffic Matrices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Calculating the cost of service for Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) is challenging due to the sharing of resources with other VPNs and non-VPN traffic, making it difficult to determine the bandwidth usage for each customer, especially when the destination of traffic is unknown.
Innovation Solution
The cost of bandwidth usage in a VPN is calculated using traffic matrices, with methods including determining the maximum number of channels required, the highest bandwidth usage, and the most likely bandwidth usage, employing linear programming and entropy-like functions to estimate costs accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If VPN shares network resources with other VPNs and non-VPN traffic, then network resource utilization improves, but cost calculation accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shared network resources by introducing virtual channels that are logically assigned to specific VPNs. Each VPN is allocated dedicated virtual channels (e.g., first through fourth virtual channels) that share physical infrastructure but maintain separate accounting. This allows accurate cost calculation per VPN while maintaining high resource utilization through shared physical infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual channels as an intermediary layer between the shared physical network infrastructure and individual VPNs. These virtual channels act as mediators that enable precise tracking and allocation of network resources to each VPN, solving the measurement precision problem while preserving the benefits of resource sharing.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated physical resources are allocated to each VPN, then cost calculation accuracy improves, but network resource utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple VPNs onto shared physical network infrastructure while maintaining separate virtual channel allocations for each VPN. This combining approach enables accurate cost calculation through virtual channel tracking while achieving high resource utilization through physical资源共享, resolving the contradiction between precision and productivity.
3Reliability
If maximum bandwidth is allocated to ensure adequate service, then service reliability improves, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation where VPNs are guaranteed minimum bandwidth through assigned virtual channels but can utilize additional bandwidth when available. This dynamic approach ensures service reliability through guaranteed minimums while reducing costs by allowing bandwidth sharing during low-utilization periods, eliminating the need for static maximum allocation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus is disclosed wherein a cost of bandwidth usage in a virtual private network is calculated as a function of a plurality of traffic matrices associated with said bandwidth. In a first embodiment, the cost is calculated as a function of the maximum number of channels required to support an upper bound of the bandwidth of all connections originating from at least one node in the network. In accordance with another embodiment, the cost of providing service is calculated as a function of a traffic matrix in said plurality of traffic matrices, said traffic matrix requiring the highest possible bandwidth use of all traffic matrices in said plurality of traffic matrices. Finally, in accordance with a third embodiment, said cost is calculated as a function of the most-likely amount of bandwidth used by a customer.