Hybrid Packet Parsing Modules for Protocol Scalability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current parsing components in network devices have low parsing efficiency and poor scalability, leading to high costs and power consumption when protocol changes occur, necessitating the development of new components or chips.

Innovation Solution

A parsing component with a combination of fixed and configurable parsing modules, allowing for protocol changes and enhancements, such as supporting protocol extensions and layer insertions, while reducing resource usage and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a current parsing component uses fixed protocol parsing only, then parsing efficiency is maintained for standard protocols, but scalability is poor when protocol changes occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol adaptabilityVSAvoidparsing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The parsing component is segmented into multiple parsing units, where each unit contains both fixed parsing modules for standard protocols and configurable parsing modules for extended protocols. This segmentation allows the system to process different protocol types in parallel without interfering with each other, maintaining high parsing efficiency while supporting protocol adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The parsing component employs dynamic configuration capabilities where the configurable parsing module can be dynamically adjusted to match extended or modified protocols. The system can switch between fixed and configurable parsing modes based on the packet type, enabling adaptability to protocol changes while maintaining optimal parsing efficiency for each protocol variant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a parsing component is designed with full configurability to support protocol changes, then scalability is improved, but costs and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol scalabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the entire parsing component fully configurable, the invention applies configurability locally only where needed. The fixed parsing modules handle standard protocols with low power consumption, while configurable parsing modules are activated only when extended protocols are detected. This local quality approach minimizes overall power consumption while maintaining protocol scalability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The configurable parsing module is designed to serve multiple purposes: it can parse extended versions of existing protocols, handle completely new protocol types, and work in conjunction with fixed parsing modules. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple dedicated parsing components, thereby reducing overall costs and power consumption while maintaining scalability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a parsing component uses only fixed parsing modules, then costs are reduced, but the component cannot support protocol extensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol extension supportVSAvoidcomponent complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The configurable parsing module is nested within the parsing unit structure, working alongside fixed parsing modules. The configurable module can be thought of as a nested capability that enhances the fixed parsing functionality without replacing it. This nesting approach allows protocol extension support to be integrated into the existing component structure with minimal increase in overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The configurable parsing module acts as an intermediary between the fixed parsing modules and the packet data. When a packet requires extended protocol parsing, the configurable module mediates the parsing process by working in conjunction with the fixed modules. This intermediary role allows protocol extension support while maintaining a relatively simple overall component architecture, as the configurable module builds upon rather than replaces the fixed parsing infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12489833B2Parsing component, packet parsing method, forwarding chip, and network device

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A parsing component includes m parsing units. At least one parsing unit in them parsing units includes a fixed parsing module and a configurable parsing module. The fixed parsing module stores fixed protocol content. The configurable parsing module is configured to configure protocol content in the configurable parsing module based on obtained content configuration information. Each parsing module in the fixed parsing module and the configurable parsing module is configured to parse a packet based on the protocol content in the parsing module. A target parsing unit is configured to separately parse, by using a fixed parsing module in the target parsing unit and a configurable parsing module in the target parsing unit, a packet input into the target parsing unit. This application helps improve parsing efficiency of the parsing component.