Research on Load Balancing Algorithm Based on MSTP in Dynamic Network

Abstract

Currently implemented Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) cannot meet the requirement of load balancing due to its poor bandwidth utilization and lack of multiple path capability. In this paper we propose a load balancing algorithm based on multiple instances spanning tree protocol (MSTP) in dynamic network after a link load function was defined. In MSTP, VLAN is divided into many group, each group would share a process of spanning tree protocol algorithm to communicate with each other by using different spanning tree topology in different VLAN. In order to realize the load balancing and redundancy backup in dynamic network, we should control the monitored relationship between the VLAN and the MSTP. With this algorithm, traffic between two communication nodes can be spread among multiple paths. The traffic split each path can be dynamic adjusted. In addition, the multiple instances spanning tree with the minimum link load can be chosen for monitoring by using this algorithm to achieve load balancing. And finally, the simulations show that the load balancing algorithm is efficient in dynamic network.