Packet Data Conversion Device for DCCP to UDP Protocol Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Middle boxes, such as firewalls and NAT, often block Datagram Congestion Control Protocol (DCCP) traffic due to its limited deployment, preventing its use in applications that require reliable congestion control without incurring the overhead of implementing custom congestion control mechanisms like UDP.
Innovation Solution
A packet data conversion device that rearranges DCCP headers to mimic UDP or UDP-Lite headers, allowing DCCP traffic to pass through middle boxes designed for UDP or TCP by modifying the protocol field and checksum coverage, thereby avoiding overhead and fragmentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If DCCP protocol is used for reliable congestion control, then congestion control reliability is improved, but middle box compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protocol conversion device as an intermediary that translates DCCP packets into UDP packets. This mediator allows DCCP traffic to pass through middle boxes that only support UDP by converting the protocol format, thereby resolving the compatibility issue while preserving the congestion control benefits of DCCP
Solution Approach 2:
The conversion device changes key parameters of the packet header, specifically modifying the protocol field from DCCP to UDP and adjusting the checksum coverage to match UDP requirements. This parameter transformation enables the packets to be recognized as UDP by middle boxes while maintaining the original DCCP payload and congestion control functionality
2Adaptability or versatility
If UDP is used instead of DCCP for middle box compatibility, then middle box compatibility is improved, but congestion control reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conversion device acts as an intermediary that restores DCCP protocol features at the endpoints. By converting UDP packets back to DCCP at the destination, the system recovers the reliable congestion control capabilities without requiring middle boxes to support DCCP directly
3Productivity
If DCCP traffic is transmitted directly without conversion, then transmission efficiency is improved, but network compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes to the packet header fields, specifically changing the protocol identification field and checksum coverage to match UDP format. This allows the packets to traverse UDP-only networks without modification to the payload or congestion control mechanisms, preserving transmission efficiency while achieving network compatibility
Data Source
AI summary
A first packet data conversion device for a sender includes a data interface and a converter. The data interface is configured to provide first packet data according to a first network protocol, in particular according to a Datagram Congestion Control Protocol (DCCP), wherein each packet of the first packet data comprises a first packet header. The converter is configured to convert the first packet data into second packet data. The conversion is based on rearranging contents of the first packet header, wherein the rearranged first packet header indicates that the second packet data is generated according to a second network protocol, in particular according to a User Datagram Protocol (UDP) or a UDP-Lite protocol. A length of the rearranged first packet header is equal to a length of the first packet header.