Canonical Network Protocol Header Arrangement for Parsing Efficiency

Solution Overview

Problem

The flexibility in network protocol header formats, while allowing for backwards compatibility, increases the computational burden on receiving devices, particularly in applications like VoIP, requiring sophisticated and expensive hardware for instantaneous packet processing.

Innovation Solution

A method for generating and processing network traffic by arranging packet headers in a predetermined canonical format or using a header index, which specifies the order of headers and fields, and includes a checksum for verification, to facilitate efficient parsing and reduce computational expenses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network protocol headers are allowed to be in arbitrary formats for flexibility and backwards compatibility, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to more sophisticated parsing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol header format flexibilityVSAvoidparsing algorithm complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-arranging packet headers in a canonical format before transmission. This predetermined ordering allows receiving devices to parse headers efficiently without complex algorithms, as the structure is already optimized. The sender performs the ordering work in advance, transforming arbitrary headers into canonical form before network transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of header arrangement from arbitrary to canonical ordered format. By transforming the ordering parameter of headers from unpredictable to predetermined, the system reduces parsing complexity while maintaining adaptability through the ability to handle different protocol types that all follow the canonical structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If network protocol headers are parsed without a predetermined format to maintain flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but productivity decreases due to increased CPU and memory intensive operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol header format flexibilityVSAvoidpacket processing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-arranging packet headers in a canonical format before transmission. This predetermined ordering allows receiving devices to parse headers efficiently without complex algorithms, as the structure is already optimized. The sender performs the ordering work in advance, transforming arbitrary headers into canonical form before network transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of header arrangement from arbitrary to canonical ordered format. By transforming the ordering parameter of headers from unpredictable to predetermined, the system reduces parsing complexity while maintaining adaptability through the ability to handle different protocol types that all follow the canonical structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If sophisticated hardware is used to provide CPU and memory resources for parsing arbitrary protocol headers, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket processing reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork hardware sophistication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-arranging packet headers in a canonical format before transmission. This predetermined ordering allows receiving devices to parse headers efficiently without complex algorithms, as the structure is already optimized. The sender performs the ordering work in advance, transforming arbitrary headers into canonical form before network transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of header arrangement from arbitrary to canonical ordered format. By transforming the ordering parameter of headers from unpredictable to predetermined, the system reduces parsing complexity while maintaining adaptability through the ability to handle different protocol types that all follow the canonical structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8902886B2Canonicalization of network protocol headers

Publication Date: 2014.12.02 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A method for generating network traffic includes receiving packet header information and an optional packet payload. The received packet header information is arranged in accordance with a predetermined format. A packet of data including the packet payload and a packet header is formatted in accordance with the arranged header information. The predetermined format specifies a particular order in which packet headers are to be arranged.