Flow level dynamic load balancing

摘要

Exemplary embodiments allocate network traffic among multiple paths in a network, which may include one or more preferred paths (e.g. shortest paths) and one or more alternative paths (e.g., non-shortest paths). In one embodiment, network traffic in form of flows may be allocated to the preferred paths until the allocation of additional network traffic would exceed a predetermined data rate. Additional flows may then be sent over the alternative paths, which may be longer than the preferred path. The paths to which each flow is assigned may be dynamically updated, and in some embodiments the path assignment for a particular flow may time out after a predetermined time. Accordingly, the flow traffic of each path may be balanced based on real-time traffic information.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
a storage storing information representative of a plurality of paths between nodes in a network; a processor configured to:
identify, from the information representative of the plurality of paths, a first route from a source to a destination in the network, wherein the first route passes through a first number of hops in the network from the source to the destination;identify, from the information representative of the plurality of paths, a second route from the source to the destination, wherein the second route passes through a second number of hops in the network from the source to the destination, and wherein the first number of hops is less than the second number of hops;classify a received packet into a network flow comprising a plurality of packets;generate one or more rules for instructing a forwarding device to assign future received packets associated with the network flow to the second route;transmit the one or more rules to the forwarding device;determine that a particular amount of time has elapsed since transmitting the one or more rules to the forwarding device; andtransmit, responsive to determining that the amount of time has elapsed, a modification to the one or more rules, wherein the modification is one of: (i) deleting the one or more rules or (ii) replacing at least one of the one or more rules with a new rule for instructing the forwarding device to assign future received packets associated with the network flow to the first route; and an interface for transmitting rules to the forwarding device.