FIFO Packet Analysis System with Reserved Storage Positions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data packet analysis systems face delays that can cause packets to be overtaken, disrupting the order of processing and requiring complex handling of multiple characterizing processes.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a FIFO with input and output storage positions, where data packets are analyzed and characterized information is derived to determine forwarding information, allowing for reservation of storage positions and maintaining packet order, even if analysis overtakes others, with multiple processes handling different types of packets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data packets are analyzed by multiple characterizing processes simultaneously, then processing speed and productivity are improved, but packet order may be disrupted causing some packets to overtake others
Solution Approach 1:
The system reserves a storage position in the FIFO for each data packet before analysis begins. This preliminary reservation ensures that when multiple characterizing processes complete their analysis at different times, the forwarding information is placed in the pre-assigned storage position, thereby maintaining the original packet order and preventing overtaking while allowing parallel processing
2Reliability
If a single characterizing process is used to maintain packet order, then reliability is improved, but processing capacity and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the single characterizing process into multiple parallel characterizing processes. Each process can analyze different data packets simultaneously, increasing overall processing capacity. The FIFO with reserved storage positions acts as an ordering mechanism that ensures the segmented processes maintain packet order in their output
Solution Approach 2:
The FIFO (First-In-First-Out) structure serves as an intermediary between the multiple characterizing processes and the output. It buffers the forwarding information from parallel processes and ensures ordered delivery to subsequent processes, mediating between the parallel processing capability and the requirement for sequential order maintenance
3Reliability
If complex handling mechanisms are implemented to maintain packet order, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The FIFO structure acts as a simple intermediary component that naturally maintains packet order through its first-in-first-out property. This single intermediary element replaces what would otherwise require complex coordination mechanisms between multiple characterizing processes, reducing overall system complexity while ensuring reliability
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A system and a method for analysing a plurality of data packets where the data packets are analysed to determine which of a number of subsequent process(es) is/are to further analyse the data packets. Information identifying the subsequent process(es) is added to a FIFO. An unknown data packet type is not immediately recognizable, whereby a storage location is reserved in the FIFO, and the data packet is fed to a separate characterizing process deriving the information relating to the relevant process(es), which information is subsequently fed to the relevant storage location in the FIFO, so that the order of data packets represented in the FIFO is the order of receipt of the data packets. From the FIFO, information is fed to a work list or storage of the relevant subsequent processes to process the pertaining data packets. This processing may also be in the chronological order of receipt of the data packets.