Intermediate Network Component MPTCP Subflow Creation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Multipath TCP protocol faces limitations in managing intermediate communication paths and compatibility with devices that only support TCP protocol, leading to inefficiencies in data transmission and the need for additional network units or relays, which can increase computational and memory costs.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that create a supplementary data packet subflow using an intermediate network component to utilize newly opened intermediate communication paths, allowing for dynamic management of communication paths and compatibility with both MPTCP and TCP protocols by inserting specific headers in packets to initiate and manage subflows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If MPTCP protocol is used to enable multipath communication, then data transmission reliability and bandwidth utilization are improved, but compatibility with traditional TCP-only devices is lost and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate network component (INC) that acts as a mediator between MPTCP-capable devices and TCP-only devices. The INC intercepts MPTCP packets, strips or modifies the MPTCP-specific headers, and forwards them as standard TCP packets to TCP-only devices. This intermediary approach allows MPTCP to function in multipath scenarios while maintaining compatibility with traditional TCP infrastructure, resolving the contradiction between improved reliability and protocol compatibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If intermediate network components are added to manage MPTCP traffic, then protocol compatibility and path management are improved, but network device complexity and computational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex MPTCP protocol processing logic from end devices and concentrates it in intermediate network components. The INC extracts and handles MPTCP-specific header processing, path management, and packet reordering functions, while allowing standard TCP packets to flow through with minimal processing. This extraction approach improves protocol compatibility without requiring complex MPTCP implementations in every network device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network into zones with different protocol requirements. MPTCP processing is segmented to occur only at specific intermediate network components rather than throughout the entire network. This segmentation allows complex MPTCP functionality to be implemented only where needed (in the INC) while keeping the rest of the network simple and TCP-compatible.
3Productivity
If MPTCP subflows are created on multiple paths, then data transmission rate and bandwidth utilization are improved, but packet reordering issues arise that trigger false error responses
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate network component acts as a mediator that receives packets from multiple MPTCP subflows on different paths, reorders them based on sequence numbers, and forwards them in the correct order to the destination. This intermediary reordering function allows high-speed multipath transmission while preventing out-of-order packets from triggering false error responses in TCP error control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for creating a supplementary subflow as a supplement to a subflow existing in a multipath network connection using a transport protocol suited to a multipath communication mode. The multipath network connection is implemented in a network comprising a source using said multipath network connection for communicating with a receiver via an intermediate network component. Following an opening of an intermediate communication path between the intermediate network component and the receiver, said intermediate network component implements the following steps: obtaining a packet intended for the source; creating a header representing a request to create said supplementary data packet subflow, the supplementary data packet subflow being intended to use the intermediate communication link; inserting said header in said packet; and transmitting said packet to the source so as to cause the initiation, by the source, of a procedure for creating said supplementary data packet subflow.