Content-Based Packet Routing Using Pre-Computed Filter Maps
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing network infrastructure, including routers and servers, struggles to keep up with increasing bandwidth and the growing number of network-enabled devices, leading to inefficiencies in routing and data transmission, particularly in publish-subscribe networks where publishers bear the burden of routing decisions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a content-based routing system that uses pre-computed filter coverage maps to route packets based on their content, with intelligent routers that spatially quantify attribute spaces, compute filter coverage information, and map routing actions, reducing the processing load on publishers and enhancing network efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional routing methods are used in publish-subscribe networks, then publishers bear the burden of routing decisions, but network efficiency and scalability deteriorate as bandwidth and number of devices increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the routing decision function from publishers and relocates it to dedicated content-based routers. These routers independently evaluate packet content against stored filters and determine routing actions, thereby removing the routing burden from publishers while maintaining network efficiency through specialized routing hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces content-based routers as intermediary devices between publishers and subscribers. These routers act as mediators that inspect packet content, match against filters, and make routing decisions, thereby decoupling the publishing and subscribing functions from the routing function and improving overall network scalability
2Measurement precision
If content-based routing with detailed filter evaluation is implemented, then routing precision is improved, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-computes filter coverage information and stores it in routing tables before actual packet routing occurs. Filters are compiled and their matching characteristics are pre-analyzed, so that during runtime, routers can make rapid routing decisions by simple table lookups rather than performing complex real-time filter evaluations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the filtering process into two distinct phases: an offline compilation phase where filters are analyzed and routing tables are generated, and an online routing phase where pre-computed tables are used for rapid decision-making. This segmentation allows detailed filter evaluation to occur beforehand, enabling precise content matching during routing without time penalties
3Adaptability or versatility
If routing decisions are distributed across the network, then publisher burden is reduced, but filter storage requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates compact copies of filter information in the form of routing tables that are distributed to content-based routers throughout the network. Instead of storing complete filter definitions at every router, the system generates condensed routing tables that capture essential filtering characteristics, reducing storage requirements while maintaining distributed routing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms filter representations from detailed, verbose formats into compact, optimized formats suitable for distributed storage. By changing the parameter representation of filters into condensed routing table entries, the system reduces storage requirements while preserving the ability to make accurate routing decisions across the distributed network
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus provide for content-based routing of packets in a publish-subscribe network. A packet is received via the network. A map specifying computed filter coverage in an attribute space is accessed. Content of the packet is inspected for a routing decision for the packet. The map is used for the routing decision for the packet. The packet is routed based upon the inspected content of the packet and the map. A router for content-based routing of packets in a publish-subscribe network, comprising modules for performing this method is provided. A network including a plurality of such routers is provided. A computer-readable medium including instructions for performing this method is provided.