Flow Control Module for TCP Performance Enhancement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Performance Enhancing Proxies (PEPs) for TCP/IP networks require significant network changes, resource usage, and modifications to existing systems, leading to increased costs and latency, and often disrupt existing network protocols and security measures.
Innovation Solution
A system with enhanced PEPs that includes flow control modules to manage communication between fast and slow sides of a network, using configuration identifiers to optimize data transmission and buffer capacity without altering end nodes, and employing algorithms that adapt to network conditions to minimize latency and resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional PEPs are deployed in the network, then TCP performance is improved, but network complexity and cost increase due to additional processing nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple PEP functionalities into existing network infrastructure elements such as routers, switches, or gateway devices. Instead of deploying separate dedicated PEP nodes, the flow control and performance enhancement capabilities are merged into devices that already handle network traffic, thereby improving TCP performance without proportionally increasing network complexity or requiring additional hardware nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables existing network devices to perform multiple functions - their original routing/switching roles plus additional PEP functions such as flow control, window management, and performance optimization. This multi-functionality allows the same infrastructure to deliver both standard network operations and enhanced TCP performance, avoiding the need for dedicated single-purpose PEP nodes.
2Productivity
If conventional PEPs are deployed to enhance TCP performance, then bandwidth utilization improves, but latency increases due to additional processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs flow control window calculations and performance optimization decisions in advance, before data packets require processing. By pre-computing window sizes, buffer allocations, and flow control parameters during connection establishment or idle periods, the system avoids real-time computational delays during active data transmission, thereby maintaining low latency while achieving improved bandwidth utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary mechanisms such as buffer zones or prediction algorithms that mediate between the sender and receiver without requiring extensive back-and-forth communication. These intermediaries pre-process or cache information that would otherwise require multiple round-trip exchanges, reducing the number of latency-inducing communication cycles while still achieving effective flow control and bandwidth optimization.
3Productivity
If conventional PEPs modify TCP conversations to overcome performance limitations, then TCP performance in adverse conditions improves, but integration with existing network nodes becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies TCP performance by dynamically adjusting parameters such as window sizes, buffer allocations, and flow control thresholds based on detected network conditions. Instead of fundamentally changing TCP protocol behavior or requiring complex protocol modifications, the system optimizes performance by tuning existing parameters in response to adverse conditions like packet loss or high latency, thereby improving TCP performance without creating integration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables network devices to automatically detect their own capabilities, network conditions, and optimal configuration parameters without requiring external configuration or complex integration with other nodes. The PEP functionality is self-configuring, adapting to the surrounding network environment autonomously, which simplifies integration by eliminating the need for manual setup, coordination, or complex inter-node communication protocols.
4Productivity
If PEPs are deployed as separate processing nodes, then TCP performance can be enhanced, but resource consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges PEP processing functions into existing network infrastructure devices that already consume power and resources for their primary functions. By combining flow control and performance enhancement tasks with existing routing, switching, or gateway operations, the system achieves improved TCP performance without the additional resource consumption that would result from powering and maintaining separate dedicated PEP hardware nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing network devices multi-functional, enabling them to handle both their original network traffic management tasks and additional PEP functions using the same hardware resources. This approach allows a single device to perform multiple roles - routing packets, managing flow control windows, and optimizing TCP performance - thereby achieving enhanced TCP performance without proportionally increasing resource consumption or infrastructure costs.
Data Source
AI summary
One or more flow control modules, implemented on various types of network topologies, provide a number of functionalities for controlling the flow of IP packets (such as TCP/IP packets) over a network connection. The flow control modules may be implemented within a sender and/or receiver or may be deployed into a network as a separate device without requiring significant additional resources.