SWITCHING AND LOAD BALANCING TECHNIQUES IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK
First Claim
1. A method for switching data in a communication network, comprising:
- obtaining at a source access network device a packet to send to a target access network device, wherein each of the source access network device and the target access network device is coupled to each of a plurality of core network devices;
transmitting by the source access network device the packet to a first core network device for switching to the target access network device, wherein the first core network device is selected from the plurality of core network devices based on a load balancing algorithm configured by a controller;
transmitting by the source access network device at least one copy of the packet to a respective second core network device for switching to the target access network device;
receiving at the target access network device at least one of the packet or the at least one copy of the packet;
generating by the target access network device based on the receiving, at least one metric indicative of a level of traffic congestion at the first and second core network devices;
transmitting by the target access network device information regarding the at least one metric to the controller; and
adjusting the load balancing algorithm based on the at least one metric.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A source access network device multicasts copies of a packet to multiple core switches, for switching to a same target access network device. The core switches are selected for the multicast based on a load balancing algorithm managed by a central controller. The target access network device receives at least one of the copies of the packet and generates at least metric indicative of a level of traffic congestion at the core switches and feeds back information regarding the recorded at least one metric to the controller. The controller adjusts the load balancing algorithm based on the fed back information for selection of core switches for a subsequent data flow.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for switching data in a communication network, comprising:
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obtaining at a source access network device a packet to send to a target access network device, wherein each of the source access network device and the target access network device is coupled to each of a plurality of core network devices; transmitting by the source access network device the packet to a first core network device for switching to the target access network device, wherein the first core network device is selected from the plurality of core network devices based on a load balancing algorithm configured by a controller; transmitting by the source access network device at least one copy of the packet to a respective second core network device for switching to the target access network device; receiving at the target access network device at least one of the packet or the at least one copy of the packet; generating by the target access network device based on the receiving, at least one metric indicative of a level of traffic congestion at the first and second core network devices; transmitting by the target access network device information regarding the at least one metric to the controller; and adjusting the load balancing algorithm based on the at least one metric. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A communication network for switching data, comprising:
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a controller for managing switching of traffic flows in the communication network; a plurality of core network devices; a source access network device; and a target access network device, wherein each of the source access network device and the target access network device is coupled to each of a plurality of core network devices, wherein the source access network device is configured to; obtain a packet to send to the target access network device, transmit the packet to a first core network device for switching to the target access network device, wherein the first core network device is selected from the plurality of core network devices based on a load balancing algorithm configured by a controller, and transmit at least one copy of the packet to a respective second core network device for switching to the target access network device, wherein the target access network device is configured to; receive at least one of the packet or the at least one copy of the packet, generate based on the receiving, at least one metric indicative of a level of traffic congestion at the first and second core network devices, and transmit information regarding the at least one metric to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the load balancing algorithm based on the at least one metric. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for switching data in a communication network, comprising:
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means for obtaining at a source access network device a packet to send to a target access network device, wherein each of the source access network device and the target access network device is coupled to each of a plurality of core network devices; means for transmitting by the source access network device the packet to a first core network device for switching to the target access network device, wherein the first core network device is selected from the plurality of core network devices based on a load balancing algorithm configured by a controller; means for transmitting by the source access network device at least one copy of the packet to a respective second core network device for switching to the target access network device; means for receiving at the target access network device at least one of the packet or the at least one copy of the packet; means for generating by the target access network device based on the receiving, at least one metric indicative of a level of traffic congestion at the first and second core network devices; means for transmitting by the target access network device information regarding the at least one metric to the controller; and means for adjusting by the controller the load balancing algorithm based on the at least one metric.
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Specification