Content Centric Network Routing with Minimum Path MTU Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Internet protocols, such as IP and Ethernet, operate on location-based addressing schemes, which are inadequate for meeting the evolving demands of network communication, especially in content-centric networks where content is routed based on unique names rather than physical locations, leading to challenges in managing maximum transmission units (MTUs) across multiple links.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for routing and facilitating efficient end-to-end fragmentation in content-centric networks using Hierarchically Structured Variable Length Identifiers (HSVLIs), where the minimum path MTU is discovered and recorded in the Interest packet, allowing Content Objects to be fragmented to sizes compatible with the minimum path MTU, ensuring successful transmission without further fragmentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If content is routed based on unique names in content-centric networks, then content delivery flexibility and scalability are improved, but managing maximum transmission units (MTUs) across multiple links becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing MTU discovery during the Interest packet traversal phase before actual content transmission. The minimum path MTU is identified and recorded in advance, allowing Content Objects to be pre-sized to fit within the discovered MTU, thereby avoiding fragmentation during content delivery and simplifying the overall transmission process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the content transmission process into two distinct phases: (1) MTU discovery phase where Interest packets traverse the network path to identify the minimum MTU, and (2) content delivery phase where Content Objects are sized according to the discovered MTU. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity
2Reliability
If Content Objects are transmitted without fragmentation, then transmission reliability is improved, but the Content Object size must be limited to the minimum path MTU
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of Content Object size dynamically based on the discovered minimum path MTU. By adjusting the Content Object size parameter to match the network path's minimum MTU, the system achieves reliable transmission without fragmentation while maximizing the usable content size that can be transmitted in a single packet
3Measurement precision
If Interest packets are used for MTU discovery, then path MTU information is obtained accurately, but additional network traffic and processing overhead are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the Interest packet serve multiple functions: (1) its primary function of requesting content, and (2) a secondary function of carrying MTU discovery information during its traversal to the content source. This multi-functionality allows MTU discovery to be performed using existing control plane traffic without requiring separate discovery packets, thereby minimizing additional network overhead
Data Source
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AI summary
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for facilitating fragmentation of packets with hierarchically structured variable-length identifiers (HSVLIs). During operation, the system receives an interest packet with an HSVLI corresponding to a piece of content. The system then identifies a minimum path maximum transmission unit (MTU) value carried in the packet. In response to the piece of content not being stored locally, the system then determines an egress port for the packet based on the HSVLI. The system further determines an MTU associated with the egress port. Subsequently, in response to the MTU associated with the egress port being less than the minimum path MTU value carried in the packet, the system updates the minimum path MTU value in the packet to the MTU value associated with the egress port.