In-band Control Message Injection Without Data Rate Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current service providers face challenges in efficiently relaying data streams between locations due to the high cost and complexity of conventional routers, which use custom silicon and large buffer spaces, making it difficult to configure, manage, and maintain connectivity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of tools that relay data streams from a data device to a network tunnel by injecting in-band control messages without impacting data rate, reducing packet header lengths to free link time, and using low-latency modules for encapsulation and de-encapsulation, enabling efficient virtual switching and data packet forwarding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional routers are used to map data streams into transport tunnels, then data connectivity is achieved, but device cost and complexity increase due to custom silicon, large buffer spaces, and complex high-speed software modules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex routing and mapping functions from traditional routers, isolating them into dedicated network address translation (NAT) devices. This separation allows the remaining router functionality to use simpler, more cost-effective hardware while the NAT device handles the complex address translation and tunnel mapping operations independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network address translation (NAT) device as an intermediary component between the data stream source and the transport tunnel. This intermediary handles the complex address translation and protocol manipulation, allowing the underlying router infrastructure to remain simpler and more standardized.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional routers with large buffer spaces are used, then data packet manipulation capability is improved, but device cost and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the advanced packet manipulation functions from general-purpose routers and concentrates them in specialized NAT devices. This allows routers to use simpler, more manufacturable hardware while the NAT devices provide the necessary manipulation capabilities for tunnel protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses software-based virtualization and configuration templates to replicate complex packet manipulation behaviors across multiple NAT devices. Instead of requiring each device to have unique custom silicon, standardized software images and configuration profiles enable consistent advanced functionality across identical hardware platforms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If in-band control messages are injected into data streams, then control functionality is enhanced, but data rate may be impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic control message injection at specific intervals or at designated packet boundaries within the data stream. This periodic approach ensures control functionality is maintained while minimizing disruption to the overall data flow rate, as control messages are injected only when link bandwidth is temporarily available.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses header compression techniques where control messages are injected using reduced-length headers when possible, or only when link capacity permits. This partial action approach ensures control functionality is provided to the extent that link bandwidth allows, without unnecessarily throttling the data rate.
Data Source
AI summary
This document describes tools useful in relaying a data stream from a data device to a network tunnel, such as by injecting in-band control messages without impacting a data rate. For example, the tools may receive data packets on a first link and then relay the data packets to a data device on a second link. While doing so, the tools may periodically free an amount of link time by reducing the length of the relayed data packets by reducing the length of a header of each data packet. The tools may then consume the freed link time by sending a control message on the second link to the data device.