Wide LAG and ECMP Control Using Per-Flow Queuing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Networks face challenges in scalability, versatility, and efficiency due to increasing network load and diverse traffic types, with conventional congestion control being slow and ineffective, especially in scalable data-driven intelligent networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing flow channels with per-flow queuing and acknowledgement-based congestion control, allowing dynamic setup and teardown of flow channels based on traffic demand, and using flow-specific input queues to manage congestion without centralized management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional congestion control is used, then network management is simple, but network utilization is low and congestion control is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network traffic into individual flow channels, each with its own queuing and congestion control mechanisms. This allows per-flow congestion control instead of network-wide control, improving utilization while maintaining manageable complexity through modular flow-specific handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic flow channel setup and teardown based on traffic demand. Flow channels are created when traffic needs arise and removed when no longer needed, allowing the network to adapt dynamically to changing traffic patterns and maximize utilization without permanent complex configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wide LAG and ECMP are implemented, then network scalability is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables flow channels to self-manage through automatic setup and teardown based on traffic demand. The system self-regulates congestion through per-flow acknowledgment mechanisms, reducing the need for complex centralized control while maintaining scalability through autonomous flow behavior.
3Measurement precision
If per-flow queuing is implemented, then congestion control accuracy is improved, but buffer management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the buffer into flow-specific queues, segmenting buffer management into independent per-flow units. This segmentation enables precise congestion control for each flow while simplifying management through modular, independent queue handling rather than complex shared buffer management.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for controlling wide LAG and ECMP in a network. At the ingress edge of the network, a switch can identify packets as LAG or ECMP packets, and allow them to be forwarded through the switch fabric using multiple output ports or paths.