QoS-aware per-segment host-based load balancing of a non-stationary flow

Load balancing is an effective way of improving Quality of Service (QoS) of computer networks. In this paper we consider one of the approaches to load balancing called segment switching, which had previously been successfully used in datacenter networks. We propose a new QoS-aware host-based segment switching method which is based on finding the optimal segment gap and traffic split ratio, and then detecting and routing segments according to these values, so that the best possible QoS is provided. We have conducted experimental research of segment switching, and compared our method to packet switching. We have found that our approach can provide required QoS in a range of cases in which other approaches cannot.