System and method for load balancing traffic in a mpls network

Abstract

A method and system for managing traffic between a first provider edge and a second provider edge in a network. The network includes logical paths between the first provider edge and the second provider edge. For each logical path, jitter, packet delay, and packet loss are identified. For each logical path, a path usage is calculated as a function of the identified jitter, packet delay, and packet loss. Most recent data received by the first provider edge is transmitted to the second provider edge via a selected logical path that has a highest path usage for which transmitting the received most recent data does not result in the selected logical path managing a higher percentage of network traffic than is dictated by the highest usage value for the selected logical path.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to network traffic and more particularly to a system and method for load balancing traffic in MultiProtocol Label Switching (MPLS) networks.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Servers supporting mission-critical applications (i.e. financial transactions, database access, corporate intranets, etc.) must exchange traffic across data networks. Moreover, additional time sensitive applications (i.e. Voice over IP, Video) need to be carried across networks. Additionally, networks need the ability to scale performance to handle large numbers of end user requests without creating unwanted delays.[0003]Network load balancing distributes traffic to multiple paths inside the network, each path going across different network equipment (Routers). Network load balancing transparently partitions the end user requests among the network paths.[0004]Currently, the network routing protocols send traffic according to the shortest path bet...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]transmitting said received most recent data from the first provider edge to the second provider edge via a selected logical path of the K logical path such that the selected logical path comprises a highest path usage for wh

Problems solved by technology

As the number of end users utilizing an application increases, the shortest path becomes congested.

A drawback of such mapping is that it static and cannot be adjusted automatically on the service provider backbone usage and / or for any QOS policy modifications, thereby causing congestion.

Moreover, the real time and on-demand solutions massively deployed today at end user sites may conduct that a QOS policy provided by a service provider be considered rapidly obsolete.

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