[Idnet] Network AI Use case: Predicting-based QoS ensurance

[yanshen <[e-mail]>]

Hi all,

I try to list some valuable use cases that the AI technology may play a role in the network management and optimization. 

Use case 01: Use prediction to ensure VPN's QoS

It is worthy to predict the traffic change for avoiding the congestion and ensuring QoS. As the following figure shown, the AI system continuously collects link status data from the network. This AI system is responsible for two things. One is monitoring and predicting the traffic on each link and the other one is calculating the usable route for any pair of nodes according to the prediction and current link status. Assume that there is a VPN named VPN_S_D from node S to D which pass through S-A-B-C-D. According to the prediction, there will be a huge traffic flow from node A to C in the future 10 min. The traffic will increase the end-to-end delay from S to D so that the QoS will not be ensured. 

                \/     \/
                /\     /\			 ----->
           _ A ----- B ----- C._      link status data       -----------
         ,'     \      /     `.   =================| AI system |
       -'        \    /          `-                    -----------
     S ----------I------ J -------K -------  D
       .         /    \          ,'
        `.      /       \      ,'
          '  O ---- P ----  Q '	

There are at least two solutions. one is modifying the object's configuration to avoid the potential congestion. For example, we modify the VPN_S_D's route from S-A-B-C-D to S-I-J-K-D. The other one is restricting non-object's transmission so that to protect the object's QoS. For example, we increase the reserved bandwidth of VPN_S_D or modify the route of non-object flows from S-A-B-C-D to S-I-J-K-D therefore most of the traffic will not affect VPN_S_D. 

Here we may have some challenges. 

Challenge 1 is the AI prediction and autonomic decision should be a quick response. The whole process must be finished before the congestion happens meanwhile the AI system is meaningless. The question is how to implement such quick response? 

Challenge 2 is whether there is existing protocols which can support high frequency measurement? Because AI system needs to be fed with continuous link status data. And the real-time data need to be captured frequently otherwise the route change will be worthless. I think the protocols that support high frequency measurement and data collection may become one of our focuses.

regards,


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Yansen