Non-uniform per-packet priority marker for use with adaptive protocols
A method, apparatus and computer program product for non-uniform per-packet priority marking for use with adaptive protocols is presented. A packet is received at a first network device, the packet assigned to a priority band. A priority is determined for the packet between a lowest priority of the priority band and a highest priority of the priority band, the priority for the packet selected based on a target distribution of priorities within the priority band, the target distribution comprising a distribution selected to achieve a desired capacity relationship among groups of packets assigned to different priority bands. The selected priority is assigned to the packet.
1. A method comprising:
receiving, at a first network device, a packet in a first flow of a plurality of flows, said packet being assigned to a priority band, said priority band including a lowest priority and a highest priority;
selecting a target distribution of priorities within said first flow to achieve a desired capacity relationship across said plurality of flows;
selecting, for said packet in said first flow, a priority between said lowest priority and said highest priority of said priority band based on said target distribution of priorities within said first flow; and
assigning said selected priority to said packet.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said target distribution is selected to approximate a linear relationship between a priority band and capacity share.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said target distribution comprises a non-uniform distribution.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said target distribution is based on a reaction rate of a protocol used for transporting said packet.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein said protocol comprises a protocol that adapts to congestion.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein a number of packets at said lowest priority of said priority band is inverse-exponentially proportionate to a number of packets at said highest priority of said priority band.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising using a prioritization mechanism to determine, based on the assigned priority of said packet, whether to drop said packet.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein said prioritization mechanism comprises a Precedence Drop Quality of Service (PDQoS).
9. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer readable code thereon for non-uniform per-packet priority marking for use with adaptive protocols, the medium including instructions in which a computer system performs operations comprising:
receiving, at a first network device, a packet in a first flow of a plurality of flows, said packet being assigned to a priority band, said priority band including a lowest priority and a highest priority;
selecting a target distribution of priorities within said first flow to achieve a desired capacity relationship across said plurality of flows;
selecting, for said packet in said first flow, a priority between said lowest priority and said highest priority of said priority band based on said target distribution of priorities within said first flow; and
assigning said selected priority to said packet.
10. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9 wherein said target distribution is selected to approximate a linear relationship between a priority band and capacity share.
11. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9 wherein said target distribution comprises a non-uniform distribution.
12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9 wherein said target distribution is based on a reaction rate of a protocol used for transporting said packet.
13. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 12 wherein said protocol comprises a protocol that adapts to congestion.
14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9 wherein a number of packets at said lowest priority of said priority band is inverse-exponentially proportionate to a number of packets at said highest priority of said priority band.
15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9 further comprising using a prioritization mechanism to determine, based on the assigned priority of said packet, whether to drop said packet.
16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15 wherein said prioritization mechanism comprises a Precedence Drop Quality of Service (PDQoS).
17. A computer system comprising:
a memory;
a processor;
a communications interface; and
an interconnection mechanism coupling the memory, the processor and the communications interface,
wherein the memory is encoded with an application providing non-uniform per-packet priority marking for use with adaptive protocols that, when performed on the processor, provides a process for processing information, the process causing the computer system to perform the operations of:
receiving, at a first network device, a packet in a first flow of a plurality of flows, said packet being assigned to a priority band, said priority band including a lowest priority and a highest priority;
selecting a target distribution of priorities within said first flow to achieve a desired capacity relationship across said plurality of flows;
selecting, for said packet in said first flow, a priority between said lowest priority and said highest priority of said priority band based on said target distribution of priorities within said first flow; and
assigning said selected priority to said packet.
18. The computer system of claim 17 wherein said target distribution is selected to approximate a linear relationship between a priority band and capacity share.
19. The computer system of claim 17 wherein a number of packets at said lowest priority of said priority band is inverse-exponentially proportionate to a number of packets at said highest priority of said priority band.
20. The computer system of claim 17 further comprising using a prioritization mechanism to determine, based on the assigned priority of said packet, whether to drop said packet.