System and method for increasing fairness in packet ring networks
First Claim
1. A method of increasing fairness in a packet ring network comprising a plurality of nodes and a first ring comprising a plurality of links for carrying information between the nodes, the method comprising steps of:
- at each of the nodes;
measuring a traffic rate of incoming traffic destined for a second node;
comparing the measured traffic rate of the incoming traffic destined for the second node to a predetermined threshold corresponding to the second node;
if the measured traffic rate exceeds the predetermined threshold for the second node, marking packets comprising the incoming traffic as non-conforming;
if the measured traffic rate of the incoming traffic does not exceed the predetermined threshold for the second node, marking packets comprising the incoming traffic as conforming; and
sending all marked packets into the network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method and system for ensuring fairness in packet ring networks are described. In one embodiment, at each node, the traffic rate of incoming packets of a particular traffic class is measured and compared with a threshold the identity of which depends on the location of a destination node relative to the current node. For each such incoming packet, if the threshold is exceeded, the packet is marked as “non-conforming” before being sent into the network. Upon receipt of a congestion notification signal from a congested link, all packets in the network marked as non-conforming and destined for or beyond the congested node are dropped until congestion eases. As a consequence of the fairness mechanism, congestion control with maximum bandwidth utilization is also realized.
38 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of increasing fairness in a packet ring network comprising a plurality of nodes and a first ring comprising a plurality of links for carrying information between the nodes, the method comprising steps of:
at each of the nodes;
measuring a traffic rate of incoming traffic destined for a second node;
comparing the measured traffic rate of the incoming traffic destined for the second node to a predetermined threshold corresponding to the second node;
if the measured traffic rate exceeds the predetermined threshold for the second node, marking packets comprising the incoming traffic as non-conforming;
if the measured traffic rate of the incoming traffic does not exceed the predetermined threshold for the second node, marking packets comprising the incoming traffic as conforming; and
sending all marked packets into the network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of increasing fairness in a packet ring network comprising a plurality of nodes and a first ring comprising a plurality of links for carrying information between the nodes, the method comprising steps of:
at each of the nodes;
measuring a traffic rate of incoming traffic destined for a second node;
comparing the measured traffic rate of the incoming traffic destined for the second node to a predetermined threshold corresponding to the second node;
if the measured traffic rate exceeds the predetermined threshold for the second node, marking packets comprising the incoming traffic as non-conforming;
if the measured traffic rate of the incoming traffic does not exceed the predetermined threshold for the second node, marking packets comprising the incoming traffic as conforming;
sending all packets marked as conforming into the network;
sending all packets marked as non-conforming and destined for a non-congested node into the network; and
dropping all packets marked as non-conforming and destined for a congested node. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. Apparatus for increasing fairness in a packet ring network comprising a plurality of nodes and a first ring comprising a plurality of links for carrying information between the nodes, the apparatus comprising:
at each node;
means for measuring a traffic rate of incoming traffic destined for a second node;
means for comparing the measured traffic rate of the incoming traffic destined for the second node to a predetermined threshold corresponding to the second node;
means for marking packets comprising the incoming traffic as non-conforming if the measured traffic rate exceeds the predetermined threshold for the second node;
means for marking packets comprising the incoming traffic as conforming if the measured traffic rate of the incoming traffic does not exceed the predetermined threshold for the second node; and
means for sending all marked packets into the network. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A packet ring network comprising:
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a plurality of nodes;
a first ring comprising a plurality of links for carrying information between the nodes;
wherein each of the nodes comprises;
means for marking packets comprising incoming traffic destined for a second node as non-conforming if a traffic rate thereof exceeds a predetermined threshold corresponding to the second node; and
means for marking packets comprising incoming traffic destined for a second node as conforming if a traffic rate thereof does not exceed the predetermined threshold for the second node; and
wherein all marked packets are sent into the network unless one or more of the nodes is congested. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification