Content Object Return Messages in Content Centric Networks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current Content-Centric Network (CCN) protocols lack a mechanism to convey information about conditions encountered while processing content objects to upstream nodes, which can lead to inefficient network operations and increased traffic due to the inability to verify content authenticity or manage cache entries effectively.

Innovation Solution

Introducing a content object return message that includes a nonce and verification token, allowing downstream nodes to inform upstream nodes about conditions such as invalid signatures or missing PIT entries, enabling them to take corrective actions like discarding cached content or shutting down links, thus improving network efficiency and reducing congestion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If current CCN protocol is used without content object return messages, then protocol simplicity is maintained, but network efficiency deteriorates due to inability to verify content authenticity and manage cache entries effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork efficiencyVSAvoidprotocol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces content object return messages that provide feedback from downstream nodes to upstream nodes about content verification status and cache management conditions. This feedback mechanism enables upstream nodes to make informed decisions about content forwarding and caching, thereby improving network efficiency without requiring fundamental protocol redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The protocol extension segments the content verification and cache management functions into separate return message types (e.g., content object return messages for verification failures, cache return messages for cache management). This segmentation allows the core CCN protocol to remain simple while adding specialized functionality through optional message types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If downstream nodes do not verify content authenticity, then processing speed is maintained, but harmful factors increase due to propagation of invalid content

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent authenticityVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The protocol enables preliminary verification actions by having downstream nodes check content authenticity and cache status before forwarding content upstream. The return messages are generated in advance when verification failures or cache management actions are detected, allowing upstream nodes to prepare appropriate responses before receiving subsequent content requests.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of content verification delays into a benefit by implementing asynchronous verification through return messages. Downstream nodes perform verification in parallel while maintaining normal content flow, and only slow down processing when verification failures occur, at which point the return messages enable rapid upstream response with minimal additional delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If intermediate routers cache all content objects, then availability is improved, but loss of substance increases due to storage of faulty data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent availabilityVSAvoidfaulty data storage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cache return message mechanism provides feedback from downstream nodes to upstream nodes about cache status and content validity. This enables intermediate routers to receive information about faulty data and update their caching strategies accordingly, reducing storage of invalid content while maintaining availability of valid content through intelligent cache management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic cache management where routers can adjust their caching behavior based on real-time feedback about content validity. The system transitions from static caching (all or nothing) to dynamic caching where individual content objects are evaluated and cached or discarded based on verification results and feedback information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10103989B2Content object return messages in a content centric network

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

One embodiment provides a system that indicates conditions associated with received content. During operation, the system generates, by a first computing device, an interest message which includes a name, wherein the interest message further includes a verification token which is a hash of a nonce. In response to transmitting the interest message to a second computing device, the system receives a content object message which includes a same name as the name for the interest message. In response to detecting a condition associated with the content object message, the system generates a content object return message which includes the nonce and a same name as the name for the content object message. The system forwards the content object return message to the second computing device, thereby facilitating the second computing device to process the content object return message.