DTN Service Module Intercepting Packets for Legacy Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional DTN systems require applications to be aware of and explicitly use DTN services to benefit from DTN protocols, limiting non-DTN-aware applications from realizing DTN benefits after packet transmission.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that intercept packets addressed to software applications, determine their suitability for DTN processing, and encode them into DTN bundles, providing DTN services without modifying the applications, using techniques like establishing operating system hooks and comparing packet characteristics to policies for selective invocation of DTN protocol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If applications explicitly use DTN services to achieve guaranteed delivery and reduced bandwidth consumption, then reliability and energy efficiency are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate because applications must be modified to support DTN protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (DTN service module or hook mechanism) that sits between the application and the network stack. This intermediary automatically intercepts packets, determines their suitability for DTN processing based on policies, and invokes DTN services without requiring application modifications. The intermediary acts as a mediator that transparently applies DTN protocols to selected packets while leaving applications unchanged.
2Reliability
If DTN services are provided to all packets, then reliability is improved, but use of energy and device complexity increase due to universal processing overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by applying DTN services selectively rather than universally. Policies determine which specific packets (based on characteristics like protocol type, source/destination addresses, or application identity) receive DTN processing. This selective approach ensures that only packets benefiting from DTN's guaranteed delivery and custody transfer mechanisms are processed, conserving computing resources and energy for packets that don't require such intensive handling.
3Reliability
If DTN services are provided to all packets, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to processing overhead for packets that do not require DTN functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by applying DTN services selectively rather than universally. Policies determine which specific packets (based on characteristics like protocol type, source/destination addresses, or application identity) receive DTN processing. This selective approach ensures that only packets benefiting from DTN's guaranteed delivery and custody transfer mechanisms are processed, conserving computing resources and energy for packets that don't require such intensive handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing DTN services only for a subset of packets that meet policy criteria, rather than applying them to all packets. The hook mechanism performs a quick assessment of each packet to determine if DTN processing is necessary, applying the service only when needed. This partial application of DTN functionality maintains productivity by avoiding unnecessary processing overhead for packets that can be handled by standard protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing DTN services to legacy applications is provided. According to one example, a method for providing delay tolerant networking (DTN) services to legacy applications includes acts of intercepting a packet addressed to a software application, the packet including a payload, the software application being resident on a first computer, determining suitability of the packet for DTN processing and encoding the payload into a DTN bundle. According to another example, a system for providing delay tolerant networking (DTN) services to legacy applications includes a network interface, a memory anda controller coupled to the network interface and the memory. In this example, the controller is configured to intercept a packet addressed to a software application, the packet including a payload, the software application being resident on a computer, determine suitability of the packet for DTN processing and encode the payload into a DTN bundle.