Source-driven switch probing with feedback request

摘要

Embodiments relate to proactively probing the packet queues of elements in a physical or virtual network to predict and prevent the occurrence of congestion points. An aspect includes receiving a first feedback request at a central controller connected to a plurality of switches in a network. The first feedback request includes a request to periodically probe a status of queues of switches in the network. A second feedback request is then transmitted to one or all the switches in a path leading to a designated destination. Responses to the second feedback request are received at the central controller from a designated proxy switch, which aggregated the responses into a single data packet. Accordingly, the responses extracted from the single data packet at the central controller are used to preventing future congestion points.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method system, comprising:
receiving a first feedback request at a central controller connected to a plurality of switches in a network, the first feedback request including a request to periodically probe a status of queues of the plurality of switches in the network; based on receiving the first feedback request, transmitting a second feedback request to one or all of the plurality of switches in a path leading to a designated destination, the second feedback request including a request to probe a status of queues of the one or all of the plurality of switches; receiving responses to the second feedback request from a designated proxy switch, the designated proxy switch having aggregated the responses from the plurality of switches into a single data packet; extracting the responses from the single data packet at the central controller; predicting a congestion point in the network based on the extracted responses; and proactively preventing the congestion point based on the predicting.