Dynamic Network Coding for Multi-Source ICN Content Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transition from traditional IP-based network architectures to information-centric networks (ICNs) is hindered by the need for significant modifications in user equipment, server components, and software development environments, and existing content retrieval methods from multiple IP-based endpoints are inefficient, particularly in peer-to-peer networking.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of dynamically configured network coding based multi-source packet transmission systems over ICN, utilizing a multi-server pull-based HTTP request-response approach that enables content retrieval from multiple sources through standard HTTP semantics, leveraging network coding for reliability and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional IP-based network architecture is used, then existing infrastructure can be maintained, but content retrieval efficiency from multiple sources is poor and network utilization is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an Information-Centric Network (ICN) layer as an intermediary between traditional IP-based networks and content retrieval applications. This ICN layer provides multi-source content retrieval capabilities through information naming and forwarding mechanisms, allowing efficient content retrieval from multiple sources without requiring fundamental changes to the underlying IP infrastructure. The ICN layer acts as a mediator that translates traditional HTTP requests into information-centric operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network functionality into distinct layers: the traditional IP-based transport layer and the new ICN content retrieval layer. This segmentation allows the ICN layer to implement sophisticated multi-source content retrieval and network coding operations independently, while the underlying IP infrastructure continues to handle basic packet routing and transmission. Each layer operates with its own protocols and mechanisms, resolving the contradiction by separating concerns.
2Productivity
If full transition to ICN is implemented, then content retrieval efficiency improves, but modifications to user equipment, servers, and software development environments are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic, progressive transition approach where the ICN layer can be deployed incrementally over existing IP infrastructure. The system dynamically adapts to the available infrastructure, allowing partial ICN deployment that gradually improves content retrieval efficiency without requiring immediate full-scale transition. This dynamic approach reduces implementation difficulty by allowing staged adoption.
Solution Approach 2:
The ICN layer is designed to be universally compatible with existing IP-based networks and applications. It provides multi-functional capabilities including content retrieval from multiple sources, network coding for reliability, and in-network caching, all while maintaining compatibility with traditional HTTP semantics. This universality allows the system to improve content retrieval efficiency without requiring complete replacement of existing infrastructure or applications.
3Reliability
If network coding is used for multi-source transmission, then reliability and network utilization improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements network coding operations in a distributed manner across multiple network nodes rather than centralizing them. Each node independently performs encoding and decoding operations based on locally available information and received packets. This self-service approach to network coding reduces the complexity burden on any single device while collectively achieving high reliability and good network utilization across the distributed system.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods related to a multi-server pull-based HTTP request-response structure over ICN systems. In one embodiment, a method comprises: publishing an ICN content request from a cNAP with identification CIDURI; receiving at the cNAP a response from at least one sNAP indicating the availability of the requested content at the at least one sNAP; identifying at the cNAP an optimal segment number, k*, and a set I* of the server IDs, i*, to participate in a network coding based transmission; transmitting the optimal segment number k* from the cNAP to each sNAP identified in the set I*; receiving, at the cNAP, network coding based transmissions from the sNAPs identified in the set I*, and performing decoding of an overall message at the cNAP.