Application Layer Message Segmentation for UDP Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
IP networks face inefficiencies and challenges in transmitting very long application messages due to the limitations of the Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU), leading to issues like bandwidth loss, de-sequencing, and security risks associated with fragmentation, especially in unconnected transport protocols like UDP.
Innovation Solution
A method for splitting application messages in the application layer, where messages exceeding the MTU are segmented into data packets with positioning information, allowing reassembly without fragmentation, optimizing bandwidth use and reducing message loss across IP networks, particularly applicable to unconnected transport modes like UDP.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If messages are transmitted in single blocks without fragmentation, then transmission simplicity is maintained, but messages exceeding MTU cannot be transmitted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing long application messages into multiple segments that fit within MTU limits. Each segment is transmitted as a separate data packet with appropriate IP fragmentation flags and offsets, enabling transmission of messages longer than the Maximum Transmission Unit while maintaining compatibility with standard IP network infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If IP fragmentation is used to transmit long messages, then messages exceeding MTU can be transmitted, but bandwidth efficiency is reduced and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments long messages at the application layer before transmission, allowing precise control over segment boundaries and content. This approach improves bandwidth efficiency by minimizing overhead and avoiding the inefficiencies of network-layer fragmentation, while maintaining the ability to transmit messages of any length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary segmentation and encoding of messages at the sending end before transmission. By pre-processing messages into appropriately sized segments with embedded positioning information, the system avoids the need for complex reassembly operations at intermediate routers, reducing overall network overhead and improving bandwidth utilization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If IP fragmentation is used, then long messages can be transmitted, but reliability decreases due to fragment loss and retransmission requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary error detection and positioning information into each segment during the segmentation process. Each segment contains metadata about its position in the original message and checksums for error detection, enabling reliable reassembly at the receiving end without requiring retransmission of entire messages if individual segments are lost or corrupted.
4Ease of operation
If routing information is included in each data packet, then packet routing is enabled, but packet size increases reducing the number of bytes available for message content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the IP header's existing fields for multiple purposes: standard routing information (source and destination addresses) is used for packet forwarding, while additional fields are leveraged for segmentation metadata (fragment offset, total segments, positioning information). This multi-functional use of header fields enables both routing and segmentation management without increasing overall packet size beyond MTU limits.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for splitting application messages in an IP (Internet Protocol) network, comprising the following steps: a) a node of the IP network, termed the first node, receives a message having to be transmitted to another node of the IP network, termed the second node; b) said first node compares the length of said message with the maximum transmission size MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) characterizing the path between said first node and said second node; and, if said length is greater than the MTU, c) the first node splits the message into at least two segments, and inserts each respective segment into a respective data packet of length less than or equal to the MTU; d) the first node transmits said data packets to the second node; and e) the second node assembles said segments so as to reconstruct said message. Said method is noteworthy in that, said message being an application message: during said step c), the first node inserts into each of said data packets a so-called positioning information item specifying the relative position in the message of the segment inserted into this data packet; and during said step e), the second node reconstructs the message with the aid of said positioning information items. Application to IP networks using a non-connected transport protocol such as the UDP protocol.