Dynamic Bandwidth-aware Link Aggregation Control Algorithm for Self- Hosted Lms Data Center

Abstract

Reliable network connectivity is an absolute requirement for running online Learning Management System (LMS). This is particularly important, but challenging for a self-hosted LMS which is characterized by growing number of users. As many self-hosted systems are fraught with low bandwidth and hence deliver poor quality service to end users. Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) has been proposed as a networking technique that can effectively provide link reliability and improved bandwidth at a much reduced cost. Notwithstanding, traditional LACP implementation usually results in link redundancy due to poor configuration. This study proposes an algorithm that will allocate network bandwidth according to the dynamic behaviours of the LMS application. The dynamic bandwidth-aware LACP system was configured to dynamically assign network bandwidths according to the requirements of the LMS application instance. The system is simulated for a 2-LAG and 4-LAG setups using the SDN Ryu controller. The results of the simulation show that the proposed system is effective in assigning communication link bandwidth according to the dynamic needs of the LMS. Also, the system can quickly re-assign link bandwidth when one or two links are down. However, as the number of aggregated links increases, delays and packet retransmission rates also increase. This suggests that the number of links aggregated into a LAG should be carefully selected according to the SDN controller’s ability to fully utilize them to avoid link redundancy.