METHOD FOR PROCESSING AN INTEREST REQUEST IN AN NDN NETWORK

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for processing a Request of Interest (ROI) received by a receiving node (RN) of a data-oriented network and originating from a sending node. The method comprises a receiving step (E10) of the Request of Interest (ROI) and a verification step (E12) of the suitability of a transmission quality level required for the transmission of content to the transmission characteristics of a predetermined path. The main Request of Interest (ROI) is rejected (E13) if the transmission characteristics of the predetermined path are insufficient for transmitting the content to the sending node. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 4

Description

Title of the invention: Method for processing a request of interest in an NDN network technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for processing a request of interest for accessing content in a data-oriented network, a node of the data-oriented network, and said data-oriented network. Previous technique

[0002] A data-oriented network (also called a Named-Data Networking network, or NDN) is a communication network based on a plurality of nodes adapted to store content. This content is accessible to network nodes that request it via queries of interest. The content can then be transferred between the different network nodes according to the various requests of interest. NDNs are part of the Information-Centric Networking (ICN) family of networks. These ICNs offer a new paradigm that decouples information from its location. Indeed, to retrieve content, it is common to send a request to the IP address of the content's owner. In reality, this IP address is synonymous with the location of the host holding the content. ICNs promote an approach where content is decoupled from the location and the host that holds it.

[0003] Figure 1 illustrates an NDN network as it is known in the prior art. This network NDN relies on a plurality of nodes: RC1, RC2, RI, R2, RP. Among these nodes, we distinguish: - RC1, RC2 content-consuming nodes adapted to initiate queries of interest; - a suitable RP content production node to generate content; - RI, R2 router nodes adapted to route content in the NDN network.

[0004] These nodes are communicating electronic devices, such as a computer, a server, a smartphone or a tablet, adapted to exchange data between them.

[0005] To this end, the various nodes RC1, RC2, RI, R2, RP include faces Fl, F2, F3 to ensure connectivity between them. Depending on the layer where the NDN network is deployed, the faces can be physical Waveform FO interfaces, network interfaces, TCP connections, etc.

[0006] Each piece of content is represented by a name. This naming principle is what allows the content to be addressed in the NDN network.

[0007] Furthermore, each node of the NDN network maintains a set of NDN tables or modules, among which we distinguish: - a content storage module (also called "Content Store" or CS module in English) identified under the references Cl, C2, P; - a relaying information storage module (also called "Forwarding Information Base" in English or FIB module); - a module for storing pending interest requests (also called "Pending Interest Table" in English or PIT module).

[0008] The protocol associated with the NDN network operates in Pull mode, that is, in request / response mode. Figure 2 illustrates an example of the operation of such an NDN network.

[0009] In this network, the content-producing node RP produces the content named: Video / Cat / HD / Chunkl. The consuming node RC1 wishes to obtain this content. To do so, this consuming node RC1 sends an interest request called an "Interest Packet." This request includes the content name and is sent via the Fl face, according to the relaying strategy used in this example and represented by the FIB module. The router node RI receives the interest request and checks in its CS module whether the requested content is available. If this content is not available in the router node RI, it transmits the interest request via its F2 face and records an interest for Video / Cat / HD / Chunkl received on its FL face in its PIT module. The router node R2 performs the same operations by transmitting the interest request via its F3 face and recording the interest received on its Fl face in its PIT module.The content producer node (RP) receives the request for interest for the content it has produced and therefore owns. In return, it sends the content as data packets via its receiving interface. The router node (R2) receives the data packets and stores them in its local CS module. These data packets are then relayed according to the information stored in the PIT module via the FL interface. The PIT module entry corresponding to the content in question is then cleared. The router node (RI) performs the same operations as the router node (R2) towards the consumer node (RC1), the initiator of the request for interest. If the consumer node (RC2) also wants to obtain the Video / Cat / HD / Chunkl content, it then sends a request for interest for this content to the router node (R2).It then receives the request of interest and responds with the content previously saved in its CS module.

[0010] The NDN network was initially designed for wired and Internet networks. In wireless networks with multiple radio links (FO waveforms), it is necessary to limit the diffusion of interest on some of these waveforms and more generally to control the dissemination of queries of interest in order to optimize the return path of data. Work published in the papers "Closing the Floodgate with Stateless Content-Centric Networking, ICCCN 2017" and "Reducing forwarding State in content-centric networks with semi-stateless forwarding, Infocom 2014" proposes modifying the PIT module to more easily adapt the data path (return path). Indeed, in an NDN, content data necessarily follows the reverse direction of the query of interest thanks to the information stored in this PIT module. However, the solutions presented in these papers require significant modifications to the NDN, introducing additional constraints for content retrieval.

[0011] There is therefore a need to improve the overall operation of a data-oriented network in order to optimize the transfer of content between the nodes of this network. Description of the invention

[0012] The present invention aims to remedy at least partially this need.

[0013] More specifically, the present invention aims to solve the problem broadcasting and flooding of requests of interest in an NDN network operating in a radio-constrained environment.

[0014] To this end, a first object of the invention relates to a method for processing a request of interest received by a receiving node of a data-oriented network. This request of interest, referred to as the main request of interest, originates from a sending node and seeks access to content. The processing method comprises, in said receiving node, a step for receiving said main request of interest. This main request of interest includes an identifier of the sending node and a name of the content. The main request of interest is transmitted to the receiving node along a predetermined transmission path between said sending node and said receiving node. This predetermined transmission path has associated transmission characteristics.The processing procedure also includes a step to verify the suitability between the transmission quality level required for the transmission of said content and the transmission characteristics of the predetermined path. If said transmission characteristics of the predetermined path are insufficient for transmitting the content to the sending node, the main request of interest is rejected.

[0015] The receiving node thus makes it possible to block a request of interest based on the quality of the return network link and whether it is estimated that the returned content will not meet a certain expected transmission quality. More precisely, when a receiving node receives a request of interest from a sending node, it will evaluate the quality of the return link (i.e., the quality of the path of the (receiving node to sending node), before relaying the request of interest to other nodes on its output interfaces and maintaining a record of this transmission in its PIT module. The invention assumes that information concerning the return link quality is available in the receiving node. The invention thus proposes that information concerning the expected transmission quality for the content associated with the request of interest is available in the receiving node. The quality required by the data is then linked to the NDN naming convention. It is then possible to filter a request of interest at the receiving node based on link quality, thereby ensuring the required quality for the return transport of the content. This limits the generation of unnecessary requests of interest for which the associated content is incompatible with the return link.

[0016] In a particular embodiment, where the transmission characteristics of the predetermined path are sufficient for transmitting the content, the processing method includes a step of verifying the presence of the content in the receiving node. If the content is present in the receiving node, the processing method includes a step of transmitting said content to the sending node via the predetermined transmission path.

[0017] We ensure that the content will be properly routed to the sending node via the return link.

[0018] In a particular embodiment, if the content is not present in the receiving node and if the transmission characteristics are sufficient to the sending node NE, said receiving node stores the primary request of interest in its PIT module and transmits a secondary request of interest to at least one other node of the network via another transmission path.

[0019] In a particular embodiment, the receiving node receives the content transmitted by the other node via the other path, stores said content and transmits said content to the sending node via the predetermined path.

[0020] In the data return direction, once the request of interest arrives at an intermediate node containing the content, said intermediate node selects the reverse path of the one followed by the request of interest to return the data after evaluating the last return link, that is, the link between this intermediate node and the previous node that transmitted the request of interest to it. Each node in the chain returning the content to the sending node then uses its PIT module to reverse the route. This operation is identical if the node possessing the content is the node producing the content. The content is returned from an intermediate node to the previous node if the link between these two nodes meets the transmission quality required for said content.

[0021] In a particular embodiment, following the receipt of the main request of interest by the receiving node, the processing method includes a step identification of an identifier of the sending node and a waveform used for the transmission of the main request of interest.

[0022] In a particular embodiment, the transmission characteristics of the predetermined path are obtained from a multi-platform communication server external to the data-oriented network.

[0023] This multi-platform communication server is, for example, queried directly by the receiving node via a query request. This query request includes the identifier of the sending node and the waveform used. In return, the communication server provides the transmission characteristics of the predetermined path. The receiving node can then evaluate the quality of the predetermined path on which the request of interest was received in order to estimate the capacity of said path to ensure, like the return link, the quality of service for the transfer of content.

[0024] In a particular embodiment, at least one of the transmission characteristics of the predetermined path is chosen from a list of characteristics including a predetermined path throughput, a predetermined path latency, a loss rate or lifetime of the predetermined path, a sovereignty of the predetermined path, a level of protection of the predetermined path, a cost of using the predetermined path.

[0025] Another object of the invention relates to a receiver node of a data-oriented network, said receiver node being adapted to receive a request of interest for accessing content from a sending node. The receiver node comprises a central data processing unit, an input / output interface, a content storage module, a relay information storage module, and a pending request of interest storage module. These elements are configured to implement the steps of a process for processing the request of interest received by said receiver node, according to the invention.

[0026] In a particular embodiment, the input / output interface is compatible with 5G waveforms.

[0027] Communications between the different nodes of the network are carried out via a conventional telephone network. Alternatively, communications are carried out via a satellite constellation.

[0028] Another object of the invention relates to a data-oriented network comprising at least one receiver node according to the invention.

[0029] Another object of the invention relates to the use of a data-oriented network according to the invention for transmitting content to a user. The data-oriented network can be used by a telecommunications operator, a content distributor, an integrator and / or a communications solutions provider for constrained networks.

[0030] Another object of the invention relates to a computer program comprising program instructions that can be used by a receiving node of a data-oriented network, said receiving node being adapted to receive a request of interest from a sending node for the purpose of accessing content, said program instructions when executed by said receiving node triggering the implementation of a process for processing the request of interest according to the invention.

[0031] The present invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description of embodiments taken by way of non-limiting examples and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] illustrates a data-oriented network according to the prior art;

[0033] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] illustrates a data-oriented network according to the invention comprising a receiver node adapted to handle a query of interest;

[0034] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is an enlargement of the receiver node of [Fig.2];

[0035] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] illustrates the steps of a process for processing the request of interest received by the receiving node of the [Fig.2].

[0036] The invention is not limited to the embodiments and variants shown and other embodiments and variants will be obvious to a person skilled in the art.

[0037] Figure 2 illustrates a data-oriented network according to the invention, comprising herein: - a NE emitting node; - a NR receiver node; - another NA node.

[0038] The transmitting node NE is a network node adapted to transmit a primary interest request RiP to the receiving node NR via a predetermined path Wp. The predetermined path Wp is defined by a MAC address of the transmitting node NE, a MAC address of the receiving node NR, and a waveform FO used to carry the primary interest request RiP. The waveform FO encompasses all the information concerning the electromagnetic wave carrying the request, such as wavelength, wave polarization, wave behavior, etc.

[0039] The sending node NE is, for example, a smartphone belonging to a user wishing to obtain COnt content to consume, such as video content, music content, or any other type of content. The main RiP request includes the @MAC identifier of the sending node NE and a Name of the COnt content. The Name of the COnt content is the one referenced by the NDN network naming convention. It is a string of characters such as, for example, the string of characters: Video / Cat / HD / Chunk 1.

[0040] It should be noted that the identifier of the receiving node NR and the identifier of the transmitting node N These are, for example, MAC addresses. Alternatively, these identifiers are IP addresses, or any other form of addressing that allows the node to be identified in the NDN network.

[0041] The receiving node NR is adapted to receive and process the primary request of interest (RiP). This receiving node NR is a content-consuming node, a router node, or a content-producing node. The receiving node NR processes the primary request of interest. To do this, it transmits a query request Req to a multi-platform communication server S. The query request Req includes the MAC address of the transmitting node NE and the waveform FO used to carry the primary request of interest (RiP). The communication server S has privileged access to the waveform quality information. Thus, from the MAC address of the transmitting node NE and the waveform FO used, the communication server S is able to deduce the transmission characteristics Ca of the predetermined path WP. This Ca information is transmitted by the communication server S to the receiving node NR via a response request Rep.The NR receiving node is adapted to deduce the required QoS transmission quality level for the transmission of CoNi content from the information contained in the NAME name of this Cont- content. For example, in the string of characters: Video / Cat / HD / Chunkl, HD corresponds to a high quality level.

[0042] If the receiving node NR has the content COnt, it is transmitted to the sending node NE if the transmission characteristics Ca of the predetermined path WP are compatible with the required QoS transmission quality level. If the receiving node NR does not have the content COnt, and if the transmission characteristics Ca of the predetermined path Wp are still compatible with the required QoS transmission quality level, said receiving node NR can request this content from the other node NA via a secondary interest request Ris, which will be transmitted via another transmission path WA. The other node NA is a content consumer node, a router node, or a content producer node. If the transmission characteristics Ca of the predetermined path are insufficient for transmitting the content, a NACK response indicating no agreement to transmit the content CoX lcst is then sent to the sending node NE.

[0043] Figure 3 describes in more detail the structure of an NR receiver node according to the invention. This NR receiver node comprises: - a central 100 data processing unit; - a fiber optic input / output interface; - a CS module for content storage; - a FIB module for storing relay information; - a PIT module for storing the state of pending queries of interest.

[0044] The central unit 100 is adapted to process the main request of interest RiP. This unit 100 interacts with the other elements of the receiver node NR.

[0045] The input / output I / O interface is adapted to receive the main request of interest (RiP). This I / O interface has several faces, each face forming an input / output pair. Thus, if a main request of interest (RiP) is received on an input of the face, the output of that same face will be used to transmit the content. Each face is associated with a waveform (FO) used to carry the main request of interest (RiP) and the content. Preferably, the input / output I / O interface is compatible with 5G waveforms.

[0046] The I / O interface is also adapted to transmit a secondary interest request (Ris) to the other NA node. Finally, the I / O interface is adapted to communicate with the multi-platform communication server S.

[0047] The content storage module (CS) is adapted to store one or more content items. The content is produced directly by the receiving node (NR) if it is a content-producing node. Alternatively, this content is captured by the receiving node (NR) when said node is an intermediate node in a content upstream chain. Preferably, this storage CS module acts in the same way as a cache. As already described, this required QoS transmission quality level is present in the content's Name.

[0048] The FIB module is a routing table in the NDN network that maintains a correspondence between the Name of the content Cont and the face to be used to transmit this content to the sending node NE.

[0049] The storage PIT module is adapted to maintain a state of the requests of interest as well as the set of paths to be used to relay the content to the sending node NE of the main request of interest RiP.

[0050] Fig. 4 illustrates more particularly the steps of the process of processing the main interest request RiP received by the receiving node NR.

[0051] The process thus includes a receiving step Ei0 of the main interest request Rip. As already specified, this Rip request includes a @MAC identifier of the sending node NE and a Name of the content COnt-. The main interest request Rip is transmitted between the sending node NE and the receiving node NR according to the predetermined transmission path Wp which has transmission characteristics Ca.

[0052] In a step En, the @MAC identifier of the transmitting node NE and the waveform FO used for the transmission of the Rip request are identified by the receiving node NR.

[0053] In a step Ei2, a check is carried out to verify the adequacy between the required QoS transmission quality level for the transmission of the COnt content and the transmission characteristics Ca of the predetermined path WP. These characteristics of Transmission Ca values ​​are obtained during this Ei2 step from the multi-platform communication server. The required QoS transmission quality level is deduced from the Name of the COnt- content.

[0054] In a step Eu, the main interest request RiP is rejected because it is determined that the transmission characteristics of the predetermined path WP are insufficient for transmitting the COnt content to the sending node NE. A NACK response indicating no agreement to transfer the CoX lcst content is then sent to the sending node NE.

[0055] Conversely, if it is determined that the transmission characteristics are sufficient, the processing of the request of interest continues with an EM verification step to check for the presence of the COnt content in the receiving node NR. If the COnt content is present in the receiving node NR, it is then transmitted in a transmission step Ei5 to the sending node NE via the predetermined transmission path WP.

[0056] If the COnt content is not present in the receiving node NR, this receiving node NR stores the primary interest request RiP in a step Ei6. The PIT module and the FIB module are then updated. In a step En, the receiving node NR then transmits a secondary interest request Ris to at least one other NA node in the NDN network via another WA transmission path. The secondary interest request Ris includes the MAC address of the receiving node NR as well as the NAME of the COnt content.

[0057] If the other node NA possesses the desired COnt content, it is then transmitted to the receiving node NR, which stores it in the content storage module CS. From the FIB and PIT modules of the receiving node NR, the COnt content is transmitted to the sending node NE via the predetermined path WP.

[0058] The invention also relates to a computer program comprising program instructions that can be used by the receiving node NR of the data-oriented network NDN. These program instructions are notably executed by the central data processing unit 100 for the implementation of the process for processing the request of interest.

[0059] The invention thus proposes new interactions between the NDN network and the existing environment such as: - access from the central unit 100 of the node to the I / O interface and in particular to the face on which the request of interest was received. The waveform on which the request of interest was received is sent back to the central unit 100 and to the computer program for processing said request; - Information on the transmission quality requested in the user's interest. This transmission quality corresponds to the guarantees required by the content in the return direction. This quality of service is indicated directly in the NDN naming convention. Alternatively, this transmission quality is stored. in a database within the node, such as the CS content storage module or any other database. This database can provide access to other information about content properties (packet size, lifetime, etc.); - access to a module that lists radio links, their usage and quality on each waveform. Each node supporting content retrieval in the NDN network must be able to assess the quality of the link on which the request of interest was received in the return direction, in order to estimate the capacity of that link to ensure the quality of content transmission.

[0060] The invention thus provides the following advantages: - it helps to reduce the risk of flooding in the NDN network by filtering out unnecessary requests; - it simplifies transmission algorithms since an initial path selection is performed; - it ensures better coexistence of the NDN network with a more classic IP-type networking thanks to radio link quality tables; - it allows for continued compatibility with the NDN protocol by requiring minor modifications to existing implementations; - it allows the content search to be dynamically adapted to network conditions and its traffic load.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for processing a request of interest received by a receiving node (NR) of a data-oriented network (NDN), said request of interest, referred to as the main request of interest (Rip), originating from a sending node (NE) for access to content (Cont), said processing method comprising in said receiving node (NR): - a receiving step (Ei0) of said main request of interest (Rip), said main request of interest (Rip) having an identifier (@MAC) of the sending node (NE) and a name (Name) of the content (Cqnt), said main request of interest (Rip) being transmitted to the receiving node (NR) along a predetermined transmission path (Wp) between said sending node (NE) and said receiving node (NR), said predetermined transmission path (Wp) having associated transmission characteristics (Ca);- a verification step (Ei2) of the suitability between a required transmission quality level (QoS) for the transmission of said content (Cont) and the transmission characteristics (Ca) of the predetermined path (Wp); and in the case where said transmission characteristics of the predetermined path (Wp) are insufficient for a transmission of the content (Cont) to the sending node (NE), the main request of interest (RiP) is rejected (En).;

2. A processing method according to claim 1, wherein in the case where the transmission characteristics (Ca) of the predetermined path (W p) are sufficient for the transmission of the content (Cont), said processing method comprises: - a step of checking (Eu) the presence of the content (Cont) in the receiving node (NR); and if the content (Cont) is present in said receiving node (NR), said processing method comprises a step of transmitting (Ei5) said content (C0Nt) to the transmitting node (NE) via the predetermined transmission path (WP).

3. Processing method according to claim 2, wherein if the content (Cont) is not present in the receiving node (NR), said receiving node (NR) retains (Ei6) the primary request of interest (RiP) and transmits (Ep) a secondary request of interest (Ris) to at least one other node (Na) of the network (NDN) via another transmission path (WA).

4. Processing method according to claim 3, wherein the receiving node (NR): - receives the content (COnt) transmitted by the other node (NA) via the other path (WA), - stores said content (COnt); - transmits said content (COnt) to the sending node (NE) via the predetermined path (WP).

5. Processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said method comprises, following the receipt of the main request of interest by the receiving node (NR): - a step (En) of identifying the identifier (@MAC) of the transmitting node (NE) and of a waveform (FO) used for the transmission of the main request of interest (RiP).

6. Processing method according to claim 5, wherein the transmission characteristics (CA) of the predetermined path (WP) are obtained from a multi-platform communication server (S) external to the data-oriented network (NDN).

7. Processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of the transmission characteristics (Ca) of the predetermined path (WP) is chosen from a list of characteristics comprising: - a predetermined path (WP) throughput; - a predetermined path (WP) latency; - a loss rate; - a predetermined path (WP) lifetime; - a predetermined path (WP) sovereignty; - a predetermined path (WP) protection level; - a predetermined path (WP) usage cost.

8. A receiving node of a data-oriented network (NDN), said receiving node (NR) being adapted to receive a Request of Interest (RiP) for access to content (COnt) from a sending node (NE), said receiving node (NR) comprising the following elements: - a central data processing unit (100); - an input / output (I / O) interface; - a content storage module (CS); - a relay information storage module (FIB); - a pending Request of Interest storage module (PIT), said elements being configured to implement the steps of a

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10.

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12. method for processing the request of interest (RiP) received by said receiving node (NR), according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Receiver node according to claim 8 in which the input / output (I / O) interface is compatible with 5G waveforms. Data-oriented network comprising at least one receiver node (NR) according to any one of claims 8 or 9. Use of a data-oriented network (NDN) according to claim 10 for the transmission of content (COnt) to a user. Product computer program comprising program instructions usable by a receiver node (NR) of a data-oriented network (NDN) according to any one of claims 8 or 9, said receiver node (NR) being adapted to receive a request of interest (Rip) from a sending node (NE) for the purpose of accessing content (C ont), said program instructions when executed by said receiver node (NR) triggering the implementation of a process for processing the request of interest (Rip) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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