Dataflow Regulation via Packet Inspection and Reverse Activity Bit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack effective methods to dynamically regulate data traffic flow between mobile devices and wireless telecommunications networks based on specific attributes, such as user identifiers, application identifiers, and sector identifiers, leading to inefficient network policy enforcement.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a packet-inspection process that selects and inspects data-packets for these attributes, allowing for the enforcement of network policies by setting a reverse activity bit (RAB) associated with the data traffic flow, thereby regulating the flow based on sector, application, or subscriber origins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If packet inspection is performed on all data packets to enforce network policies, then network policy enforcement accuracy is improved, but network processing overhead and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network policy enforcement process by dividing data packets into different handling paths based on their characteristics. Frequently occurring packet types (identified through pattern matching) are routed to accelerated processing paths, while less common packets receive full inspection. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high policy enforcement accuracy for common traffic patterns without incurring full inspection latency for all packets.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-compiling network policies into pattern rules and maintaining a cache of frequently inspected packet attributes. Before actual packet inspection, the system prepares lookup tables and pattern templates that enable rapid matching. This preliminary preparation significantly reduces the processing time required during actual packet inspection while maintaining enforcement accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If detailed packet attribute inspection is performed, then network policy regulation precision is improved, but device processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential attributes needed for policy enforcement from each data packet, rather than inspecting all packet details. The system identifies and extracts key attributes such as source/destination addresses, port numbers, and protocol types based on pre-defined policy requirements. This extraction approach maintains high regulation precision for relevant attributes while avoiding the complexity of processing unnecessary packet information.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection device is designed with multi-functional capabilities that allow it to handle multiple policy enforcement scenarios using a unified architecture. The same inspection engine can enforce different types of policies (bandwidth control, access control, quality of service) by loading different policy rule sets, eliminating the need for separate complex inspection systems for each policy type.
3Adaptability or versatility
If network policies are enforced dynamically based on packet attributes, then network management flexibility is improved, but system implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic network policy enforcement by allowing policy parameters to be modified in real-time based on observed network conditions and packet attributes. The system can dynamically adjust parameters such as bandwidth allocations, priority levels, and access rules without requiring system reconfiguration. This parameter-based approach provides high network management flexibility while keeping the underlying system architecture relatively simple and maintainable.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and medium are provided for regulating a flow of data traffic that is communicated between a mobile device and a wireless telecommunications network. The method includes performing a data-packet-inspection process on at least a portion of the flow and applying a network policy to a specific wireless telecommunications area based on the results of the inspection. The network policy may be based on the wireless coverage area, the application, or the subscriber from which a data-packet originates. The network policy should also determine the way in which to regulate the flow of data if a policy applies to that particular flow. To enforce the policy, the value of a reverse activity bit may be set in connection with the wireless coverage area so as to regulate the flow of data as dictated by the network policy.