Intercept Library for Asynchronous Network State Notifications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for receiving network state information in packet routing networks require modifying the kernel, leading to increased memory usage, resource wastage, and potential bugs, as they necessitate storing custom network state information, which complicates operations and reduces resource efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An intercept library detects socket system calls and subscriptions for asynchronous network state information, redirecting these to a service daemon in the user space, which then provides the information to the kernel, allowing applications to receive network state without kernel modifications, thus conserving resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network state information is stored in the kernel, then applications can access network state information, but memory usage and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a user space service daemon as an intermediary component that stores and manages network state information. This daemon receives subscription requests from applications and provides the requested network state information without requiring the kernel to store custom network state data. The intercept library acts as another intermediary, forwarding subscription requests from applications to the service daemon, thereby resolving the contradiction by enabling information accessibility while avoiding kernel memory consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom network state information is stored in the kernel, then applications can receive customized network state information, but device complexity and potential bugs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the functionality for storing and managing custom network state information from the kernel and relocates it to a user space service daemon. This extraction allows applications to receive customized network state information through the daemon while keeping the kernel's complexity minimal. The kernel only needs to provide basic networking functionality, while the customized information management is handled entirely in user space by the service daemon and intercept library.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the kernel is modified to support custom network state information, then applications can access custom network state information, but resource wastage and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The service daemon acts as an intermediary that handles all custom network state information management in user space, eliminating the need to modify the kernel. This approach avoids the resource wastage associated with kernel modifications, as the daemon can be developed, updated, and maintained independently without affecting the kernel. Applications access custom network state information through the intercept library and service daemon, achieving adaptability without kernel resource overhead.
4Productivity
If applications directly query the kernel for network state information, then network state information can be obtained, but the system requires kernel modifications and increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network state information management system into distinct components: the kernel handles basic networking operations, the intercept library in user space intercepts application queries, and the service daemon manages custom network state information. This segmentation allows applications to retrieve network state information efficiently through the intercept library and service daemon without requiring kernel modifications. Each component has a specific responsibility, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
An intercept library of a network device may detect a socket system call from an application associated with a user space of the network device. The intercept library may be associated with the user space, and the socket system call may be addressed to a kernel associated with the network device. The intercept library may generate an intercept socket based on the socket system call, and may detect a subscription for asynchronous network state information, wherein the subscription may be generated by the application. The intercept library may provide the subscription to a service daemon via the intercept socket.