ICN Source Routing Using Forwarding Hints for Traffic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ICN networks lack support for source routing, hindering the adoption and development of advanced network technologies, and thus, detailed traffic control for packets is impossible due to the inability to determine the path in advance.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for ICN networks that enable source routing by extracting and processing interest packets with forwarding hints, using FIB lookups to determine the next path, and incorporating traffic engineering information for service-specific delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional ICN network forwarding is used, then packet transmission is simple and based on FIB lookup, but detailed traffic control is impossible and path cannot be determined in advance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by embedding source routing information (path list) in the interest packet header before transmission. This allows the path to be determined in advance at the source node, enabling detailed traffic control while maintaining simple FIB-based forwarding at intermediate routers. The path list is prepared beforehand and forwarded with the packet, resolving the contradiction between simple forwarding and detailed control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If source routing information is added to interest packets, then detailed traffic control becomes possible, but packet structure and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the routing information into a structured path list format with individual path entries, each containing network area, current entry, and last entry fields. This segmentation allows routers to process only the relevant portion of the path list (current entry) while ignoring others, reducing processing complexity. The segmented structure enables detailed traffic control without overwhelming the router processing burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and processes only the necessary source routing information (current entry value) from the interest packet header, while using standard FIB lookup for path determination. This extraction approach allows detailed traffic control through selective processing of path list entries without requiring complete reprocessing of the entire packet or routing table, thus reducing overall processing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If path list with multiple entries is implemented, then flexible path selection is enabled, but memory and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic path list where the current entry value changes as packets progress through the network. Routers update the current entry based on their position in the path, allowing flexible path selection while efficiently using memory. The dynamic nature means that not all path entries need to be stored simultaneously in full detail at each router, only the current active entry needs detailed processing, reducing overall memory requirements while maintaining flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein a source routing apparatus and method in ICN. The method includes: receiving an interest packet; extracting a current entry value when the received interest packet includes a forwarding hint; using the extracted current entry value as an index of a path list; extracting a name of the interest packet; reducing the current entry value when the interest packet is transmitted to a network area of the path list; performing a FIB lookup with the extracted name; determining an output port using the FIB lookup; and transmitting the interest packet to the output port.