ATM SAR Automatic Flow Provisioning to Prevent Packet Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ATM segmentation and reassembly (SAR) units often discard or forward unprovisioned data cells, leading to potential packet loss, as they are not configured prior to receiving cells, which can result in important packets being dropped.
Innovation Solution
A system with memory and flow reassembly logic that identifies unprovisioned data flows within a programmed range, creates an entry for them, and reassembles packets for processing, allowing automatic provisioning and preventing packet loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If cells are discarded for unprovisioned flows, then device complexity is reduced, but packet loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring flow ranges in the SAR unit before data transmission begins. This allows the SAR to proactively recognize and prepare for unprovisioned flows within predetermined ranges, eliminating the need to discard cells and preventing packet loss before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The SAR unit is enhanced with self-service capabilities through automatic provisioning logic that dynamically creates flow entries when unprovisioned flows are detected within configured ranges. This self-provisioning mechanism eliminates packet loss without requiring external intervention or complex manual configuration management.
2Reliability
If automatic provisioning is implemented, then packet loss is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow table is segmented into two distinct sections: provisioned flows and unprovisioned flows. This segmentation allows the SAR to independently manage each type with appropriate handling logic, simplifying the overall complexity by clearly separating concerns rather than managing all flows uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality attributes are applied to different flow types: provisioned flows receive full configuration resources while unprovisioned flows within ranges receive automatic provisioning. This local differentiation optimizes resource allocation and reduces overall system complexity by applying appropriate management strategies to each flow category.
3Reliability
If all unprovisioned flows are processed, then packet loss is prevented, but processor overload occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Flow ranges are pre-configured in the SAR unit before data transmission begins. This preliminary action enables the SAR to filter and identify only legitimate unprovisioned flows within predetermined ranges, preventing processor overload by avoiding the need to analyze and process all possible unprovisioned flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The SAR unit acts as an intermediary between the network and the processor, filtering unprovisioned flows through pre-configured ranges before forwarding them to the processor. This intermediary function protects the processor from overload by pre-screening flows and only passing legitimate traffic requiring analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
A system automatically provisions a data flow. The system provides a flow range. The system receives a data unit associated with an unprovisioned data flow, determines whether the unprovisioned data flow falls within the flow range, and creates an automatically provisioned data flow based on the unprovisioned data flow when the unprovisioned data flow falls within the flow range.