Adaptation Layer for IP Packet Fragmentation in Heterogeneous Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heterogeneous internetworks with different maximum transmission units (MTUs) face inefficiencies and dropped packets when large IP packets are transmitted, as they may exceed the MTU of certain networks, leading to fragmented data and increased overhead.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an adaptation layer interface in network nodes that receives original IP packets exceeding the maximum payload size (MPS), fragments them into multiple fragment payloads, and generates carrier packets with adaptation layer headers, ensuring each fragment does not exceed the MPS, and allowing for efficient reassembly at the destination node.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed packet size limited to the smallest MTU is used, then packet compatibility across all networks is ensured, but network efficiency deteriorates due to increased packet overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments large IP packets into multiple smaller carrier packets, each fitting within the MTU constraints of heterogeneous networks. The adaptation layer divides the original IP packet into fragments, encapsulates each fragment in a carrier packet with appropriate headers, and transmits them separately. This segmentation allows the system to maintain compatibility across networks with different MTU sizes while improving overall network efficiency by optimizing packet size for each network segment.
2Productivity
If large IP packets exceeding MTU are transmitted, then fewer packets are required reducing overhead, but packet delivery reliability deteriorates due to dropped packets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic packet size adaptation through the adaptation layer, which dynamically determines the appropriate carrier packet size based on the MTU characteristics of each network segment in the path. Rather than using a fixed packet size, the system dynamically adjusts the fragmentation strategy to match network conditions, allowing larger effective payload transmission while ensuring each carrier packet fits within MTU constraints to prevent drops.
3Adaptability or versatility
If heterogeneous networks with different MTUs are connected, then network versatility is improved, but system complexity increases due to protocol differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adaptation layer as an intermediary between the IP layer and the underlying heterogeneous networks. This adaptation layer acts as a mediator that handles the complexity of protocol differences and MTU variations, transparently segmenting and reassembling packets as needed. The intermediary layer shields upper-layer applications from network heterogeneity, allowing versatile connectivity across different network types without requiring complex protocol handling at each endpoint.
Data Source
AI summary
A system may receive an original internet protocol (IP) packet with a size that exceeds a maximum payload size (MPS); encapsulate the original IP packet in an adaptation layer header to form an adaptation layer packet; generate a plurality of fragment payloads that do not exceed the MPS; generate a plurality of carrier packets with respective adaptation layer headers, respective fragment payloads, and an indication of a relative fragment offset of the respective fragment payload; and provide the plurality of carrier packets for transmission to a node. A destination node may receive the plurality of carrier packets, reassemble the adaptation layer packet from the plurality of fragment payloads based on the relative fragment offset for each respective fragment payload; and remove the adaptation layer header from the adaptation layer packet to obtain the original IP packet.