Heartbeat Packet Message Insertion for Bandwidth Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In data-intensive computing networks, the increasing demand for data transfer competes with other applications for bandwidth, leading to performance issues and the need for an efficient method of inter-node communication that does not consume additional bandwidth or require new hardware/software infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
Nodes in a computing network utilize heartbeat packets for inter-node communication, where messages are either inserted as payload if small or partitioned and encoded using forward error correcting algorithms like erasure codes to ensure reliable transmission, even in connectionless protocols without guaranteed delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inter-node communication uses separate dedicated communication channels, then communication reliability is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases and infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines inter-node communication messages with heartbeat packets into a single communication channel. The message manager inserts messages into the payload portion of heartbeat packets, merging two communication functions (heartbeat monitoring and data transmission) into one channel, thereby eliminating the need for separate dedicated communication channels and reducing bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The heartbeat packet is given multi-functionality by serving both as a node status monitoring mechanism and as a carrier for inter-node communication messages. The message manager enables the heartbeat infrastructure to universally handle both traditional heartbeat functions and new message transmission requirements, eliminating the need for additional infrastructure.
2Reliability
If inter-node communication uses separate dedicated communication channels, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges message transmission functionality into the existing heartbeat infrastructure. The message manager component integrates message handling capabilities within the heartbeat processing logic, combining multiple functions into a unified system that reduces infrastructure complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heartbeat infrastructure is enhanced to perform multiple functions - traditional node status monitoring plus inter-node message transmission. This universal approach allows the existing heartbeat network to handle both functions without requiring additional dedicated communication channels or infrastructure components.
3Quantity of substance
If messages are transmitted using connectionless protocols without guaranteed delivery, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but message reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies forward error correcting codes to messages before inserting them into heartbeat packets. This preliminary encoding action adds redundancy to the messages, enabling the receiving node to reconstruct original messages even if some heartbeat packets are lost during transmission, thus maintaining reliability while using efficient connectionless protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The message manager implements prior cushioning by encoding messages with error correction capabilities before transmission. This preparatory measure cushions against potential packet loss in connectionless protocols, ensuring that message reliability is maintained despite the inefficient retransmission characteristics of such protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and mechanism for inter-node communication. A first node is coupled to a second node via a communication link. The first node is configured to convey a heartbeat or similar data packet to the second node on a periodic or other scheduled basis. A message manager within the first node is configured to detect an inter-node message is available for transmission to the second node. If the detected message exceeds a predetermined size, the message is partitioned into blocks which are less than or equal in size to the predetermined size. The blocks are then encoded pursuant to a forward error correcting algorithm, such as an erasure code algorithm, and stored as payload in the periodically conveyed data packets. Pseudo-header information may also be included with each block to indicate a message type, message identifier, message length, or block sequence number.