Artificial neural network based load balancing scheme for top of rack switches in optical data centers

Abstract Data centers serve as dedicated facilities for housing computer systems and their related components, including telecommunications and storage systems. They typically have high levels of security and environmental controls to ensure that the equipment housed within them functions optimally. Data center networks (DCNs) often employ load balancing algorithms to handle large volumes of traffic and ensure that all servers and switches are utilized equally, keeping the network running smoothly. However, as load on the server varies, therefore dynamic traffic management systems that can adjust traffic flow in real-time based on the current traffic state is required. This study presents an artificial neural network-based load balancing method. By training a feed-forward artificial neural network (ANN) using a back propagation (BP) learning algorithm, it evenly distributes workload over all of the nodes. Simulation results are also presented to prove the usefulness of the proposed load balancing mechanism. It is found that the load balancing scheme can reduce the packet blocking probability (PBP) by 10 folds and delay by about nearly 11 percent.