HCPE Intelligent Path Selection via In-Band Flow Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks face challenges in optimizing traffic speed and path selection across multiple access technologies, as they often require advanced traffic analysis capabilities and dedicated signaling mechanisms, which can be resource-intensive and complex.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a hybrid-access communication network with a hybrid-access gateway (HAG) and customer premises equipment (HCPE) that uses multipath communication capabilities, enabling intelligent path selection through in-band signaling of flow identification information, allowing the HCPE to control multipath subflows without requiring advanced traffic analysis or explicit signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If advanced traffic analysis capabilities and dedicated signaling mechanisms are used for path selection, then path selection intelligence is improved, but device complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the traffic analysis function from the HCPE and relocates it to the HAG. The HAG performs deep packet inspection and determines flow identification information, while the HCPE only needs to read markers inserted in packet headers. This extraction eliminates the need for complex traffic analysis capabilities at the HCPE, resolving the contradiction between path selection intelligence and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces markers as an intermediary mechanism for communication between HAG and HCPE. Instead of requiring complex dedicated signaling mechanisms, the HAG inserts flow identification markers directly into packet headers, which the HCPE then reads to make path selection decisions. This intermediary approach simplifies the signaling mechanism while maintaining intelligent path selection.
2Measurement precision
If deep packet inspection is performed at the HAG to determine flow identification information, then path selection accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the HAG perform deep packet inspection and determine flow identification information before traffic reaches the HCPE. The HAG analyzes traffic characteristics in advance, determines the appropriate flow type, and inserts the corresponding marker into packet headers. This preliminary processing at the HAG eliminates the need for time-consuming traffic analysis at the HCPE, as the HCPE only needs to read pre-determined markers, thus resolving the contradiction between identification accuracy and processing time.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally discloses a path selection capability configured to support intelligent path selection within the context of a hybrid-access communication network including a hybrid-access gateway (HAG) and a hybrid-access customer premises equipment (HCPE) in communication based on a multipath communication capability. The path selection capability is configured to support HCPE-based intelligent path selection for downlink traffic being provided from the HAG to the HCPE for delivery to CPEs supported by the HCPE. The path selection capability is configured to support HCPE-based intelligent path selection based on flow identification information signaled from the HAG to the HCPE based on determination of the flow identification information of the downlink traffic by the HAG. The HCPE-based intelligent path selection enables the HCPE to control the path(s) (e.g., multipath subflow(s) of a multipath connection) over which the downlink traffic is sent from the HAG to the HCPE.