ICN Gateway Encapsulation for IP Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for enabling communication between Information-Centric Networking (ICN) based infrastructures and host-centric paradigms, such as the Internet, lack compatibility and efficient coexistence, particularly for applications using TCP/UDP protocols.
Innovation Solution
A data transmission method and system that utilize data entry and exit gateways to encapsulate and decapsulate internet data packets within ICN data packets, allowing transparent usage of TCP/UDP applications over ICN networks while maintaining the ICN operational model and leveraging in-network caching for improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If protocol translation or tunnelling is used to enable IP-to-ICN transition, then compatibility between TCP/UDP applications and ICN infrastructure is improved, but device complexity and deployment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway as an intermediary component that sits between the IP network and ICN infrastructure. The gateway performs protocol translation by converting IP packets into ICN Interest and Data packets, enabling TCP/UDP applications to communicate over ICN without modifying the applications themselves. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by providing compatibility while isolating the complexity within the gateway rather than requiring complex changes throughout the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network architecture into distinct components: the IP network layer, the gateway layer, and the ICN infrastructure layer. Each layer operates independently with well-defined interfaces. The gateway is further segmented into separate modules for Interest packet generation, Data packet forwarding, and protocol translation functions. This segmentation allows compatibility to be achieved at the gateway level without propagating complexity to other parts of the system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ICN infrastructure is deployed incrementally alongside existing IP networks, then coexistence of IP and ICN networks is improved, but network management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as a mediator that enables incremental deployment by providing a clear boundary between IP and ICN networks. During transition periods, some gateways can be deployed to handle specific traffic flows or geographic regions, while other parts of the network continue to operate on IP. The gateway's standardized interface simplifies network management by providing consistent behavior regardless of the underlying network protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic routing and protocol selection based on network conditions and traffic requirements. The gateway can dynamically adjust between IP and ICN protocols, switch between different routing paths, and adapt to changing network topologies. This dynamic behavior simplifies incremental deployment by allowing the network to evolve gradually without requiring complete reconfiguration.
3Ease of operation
If TCP/UDP applications work transparently over ICN substrate, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information about original IP protocol increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as an intermediary that maintains protocol information through structured data models. When translating IP packets to ICN packets, the gateway extracts relevant information (source/destination addresses, ports, protocol type) and encodes it into ICN Interest packet names and filters. This structured encoding preserves essential protocol information in a form suitable for ICN routing and caching, while keeping the translation process transparent to applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms IP protocol parameters into ICN-compatible parameters through systematic parameter changes. IP addresses and ports are converted into ICN name prefixes and suffixes; TCP/UDP protocol types are mapped to ICN data interest filters. These parameter transformations preserve the semantic meaning of original protocol information while adapting it to ICN's data-centric paradigm, maintaining both transparency and information integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A data sending method for sending an internet data packet from at least one sender via a data entry gateway connected to an ICN infrastructure to at least one receiver, and a data receiving method for receiving with at least one receiver an internet data packet from at least one sender via a data exit gateway connected to an ICN infrastructure, as well as a corresponding data entry gateway, a corresponding data exit gateway, and a communication station, and a vehicle comprising respective gateways.