Network Gateway Packet Routing for Latency Mismatch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently bonding TCP connections across networks with significantly differing latencies, leading to reduced transmission speeds due to issues like 'head of line blocking' and mis-ordered packets.
Innovation Solution
The development of a network gateway system that monitors time-variant network transmission characteristics, parses packet data flows, and routes packets based on identified data flow classes and network characteristics, ensuring efficient transmission across multiple connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If TCP packets are transmitted over multiple network connections with significantly differing latencies, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but transmission speed is reduced due to head of line blocking and mis-ordered packets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data flows into different classes (sequential and non-sequential) and routes them through different paths. Sequential packets requiring order are handled separately from non-sequential packets, allowing parallel transmission without head-of-line blocking. This segmentation enables multiple connections to be utilized simultaneously while maintaining transmission speed by preventing slow packets from blocking faster ones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (packet classification and routing system) that mediates between multiple network connections with different latencies. By classifying packets and routing them through appropriate paths, the system reconciles the conflicting latency characteristics of different connections, enabling efficient bandwidth utilization without the head-of-line blocking problem that would otherwise reduce transmission speed.
2Reliability
If packets are routed based on strict sequence ordering, then packet sequence reliability is improved, but transmission speed is reduced due to acknowledgment and re-request processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data flows into sequential and non-sequential packet classes. Non-sequential packets are transmitted without strict ordering requirements, eliminating acknowledgment delays and re-request processes for those packets. This segmentation maintains reliability for sequential packets while significantly improving overall transmission speed by allowing parallel processing of non-sequential packets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial ordering - not all packets require strict sequence handling. By identifying and treating non-sequential packets differently, the system achieves sufficient reliability without the full overhead of strict sequence ordering for every packet, thereby improving transmission speed while maintaining adequate packet delivery reliability.
3Reliability
If multiple data connections are bonded together, then reliability is improved in lossy or varying network conditions, but device complexity increases due to monitoring and routing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of packet classification from complex deep packet inspection to simpler flow-based classification using existing TCP flow identifiers. This parameter change maintains the ability to route packets appropriately across multiple connections while significantly reducing gateway complexity. The system monitors network characteristics and adjusts routing based on flow class, providing reliability without excessive complexity.
4Measurement precision
If network gateway monitors time-variant transmission characteristics, then routing accuracy is improved, but use of energy increases due to continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring of network transmission characteristics rather than continuous monitoring. The gateway periodically updates flow classifications and routing decisions based on current network conditions, achieving sufficient routing accuracy while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring. This periodic action maintains adaptability to network changes without the constant energy expenditure of continuous monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
A network gateway is provided for routing data flows across a plurality of network connections, the network gateway including a plurality of network interfaces for transmitting data over the plurality of network connections, the plurality of network interfaces including a first network interface; at least one processor configured for: transmitting a sequential burst of packets across the first network interface; based on timestamps recorded when packets in the sequential burst of packets are received at a receiving node, and the size of the packets, generating a bandwidth of the first network interface; and routing a data flow of sequential packets across the plurality of network connections based on the generated bandwidth of the first network interface.