Dynamic bandwidth management responsive to access link state in redundant network topologies
First Claim
1. A method facilitating bandwidth management across a plurality of access links, comprisingmonitoring bandwidth utilization at a plurality of interfaces in at least one routing system, wherein the plurality of interfaces are operably connected to respective access links;
- selecting an interface of the plurality of interfaces having the highest bandwidth utilization relative to a corresponding bandwidth capacity of the selected interface;
computing a scaling factor comprising the ratio of the bandwidth capacity to the bandwidth utilization of the selected interface; and
computing a virtual bandwidth limit by multiplying the scaling factor by the aggregate bandwidth utilization detected across the plurality of interfaces.
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Abstract
Methods, apparatuses and systems allowing for dynamic bandwidth management schemes responsive to the state of a plurality of access links in redundant network topologies. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a bandwidth management device that periodically queries routing systems associated with access links, conceptually grouped into a virtual access link, to monitor that load of the access links and, depending on the detected load, adjust the configuration of the bandwidth management device to avoid overloading one or more of the access links. Embodiments of the present invention increases network efficiency and help network traffic to flow more smoothly with higher throughput. In one embodiment, the dynamic link control functionality is invoked when any given access link reaches a threshold capacity level. Assuming that network traffic will scale in the same ratio as presently observed, the present invention calculates the maximum traffic that can be let through so that no network interface or access link is overloaded.
194 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method facilitating bandwidth management across a plurality of access links, comprising
monitoring bandwidth utilization at a plurality of interfaces in at least one routing system, wherein the plurality of interfaces are operably connected to respective access links; -
selecting an interface of the plurality of interfaces having the highest bandwidth utilization relative to a corresponding bandwidth capacity of the selected interface; computing a scaling factor comprising the ratio of the bandwidth capacity to the bandwidth utilization of the selected interface; and computing a virtual bandwidth limit by multiplying the scaling factor by the aggregate bandwidth utilization detected across the plurality of interfaces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. In a computer network environment comprising plurality of access links operably connected to respective interfaces of at least one routing system, wherein the plurality of interfaces are associated with a virtual access link, a method preventing overloading any of the interfaces, the method comprising
monitoring bandwidth utilization at the interfaces associated with the plurality of access links; -
selecting an interface of the plurality of interfaces having the highest bandwidth utilization relative to a corresponding bandwidth capacity of the selected interface; computing a scaling factor comprising the ratio of the bandwidth capacity to the bandwidth utilization of the selected interface; and computing a virtual bandwidth limit for the virtual access link by multiplying the scaling factor by the aggregate bandwidth utilization detected across the plurality of interfaces; and utilizing the computed virtual bandwidth limit in controlling data flows encountered at the plurality of interfaces associated with the virtual access link. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A data flow control device operative to prevent overloading any given interface in a plurality of interfaces, wherein the plurality of interfaces are associated with a virtual access link, comprising
a link monitoring module operative to monitor bandwidth utilization at a plurality of interfaces associated with at least one routing system; - and
compute a bandwidth limit for the virtual access link by; selecting an interface of the plurality of interfaces having the highest bandwidth utilization relative to a corresponding bandwidth capacity of the selected interface; computing a scaling factor comprising the ratio of the bandwidth capacity to the bandwidth utilization of the selected interface; and multiplying the scaling factor by the aggregate bandwidth utilization detected across the plurality of interfaces; and a flow control module operative to enforce the bandwidth limit in controlling data flows encountered at the plurality of interfaces associated with the virtual access link. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system operative to prevent overloading any given interface in a plurality of interfaces, wherein the plurality of interfaces are associated with a virtual access link, comprising
a routing system operative to route data packets received at a given interface; - wherein the routing system comprises at least a first, second and third interface;
wherein the first and second interfaces are respectively coupled to first and second access links; anda data flow control device operatively connected to the routing system via the third interface; wherein the data flow control device comprises; a link monitoring module operative to monitor bandwidth utilization at the first and second interfaces; and compute a bandwidth limit for the virtual access link by; selecting an interface of the plurality of interfaces having the highest bandwidth utilization relative to a corresponding bandwidth capacity of the selected interface; computing a scaling factor comprising the ratio of the bandwidth capacity to the bandwidth utilization of the selected interface; and multiplying the scaling factor by the aggregate bandwidth utilization detected across the plurality of interface; and a flow control module operative to apply the bandwidth limit in controlling data flows traversing the first and second access links. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
- wherein the routing system comprises at least a first, second and third interface;
Specification