Intermediate Node Caching for Congestion-Resilient Internet Communication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication over the Internet is hindered by network congestion, traffic load balancing, and unpredictable network behavior, leading to issues such as lost, duplicated, or out-of-order IP packets, which TCP attempts to address but can be inefficient in high-traffic scenarios.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing intermediate nodes that function as both end-users and intermediate nodes to enhance communication efficiency by optimizing TCP/IP operations, including managing connections and data transfer through improved routing and caching mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If TCP/IP is used for reliable data delivery over the Internet, then data delivery reliability is improved, but network congestion and unpredictable network behavior worsen performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that sits between TCP applications and the IP network, acting as a mediator that intercepts TCP packets, caches data at intermediate nodes, and reconstructs data streams. This intermediary layer shields applications from network congestion and unreliability while maintaining efficient data transfer, resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-caching data at intermediate nodes before actual data transfer is needed. When data requests occur, the cached copies are immediately available, eliminating the need for repeated transmissions over congested networks and improving overall communication efficiency while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If TCP retransmission mechanisms are used to handle lost packets, then data delivery reliability is improved, but network congestion worsens due to retransmission traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary system at intermediate nodes monitors packet delivery and provides retransmission services locally. When packets are lost, the intermediary reconstructs data from cached copies and retransmits only the missing portions, rather than triggering full TCP retransmission cycles that congest the network. This resolves the contradiction by handling retransmissions through an intermediary layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares cushioning measures in advance by caching data copies at intermediate nodes before transmission. This pre-positioned data acts as a buffer that can immediately compensate for lost packets without requiring additional retransmission traffic, thus cushioning against the harmful effect of network congestion while maintaining reliability.
3Productivity
If data is cached at intermediate nodes, then data transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes end-user devices multi-functional by enabling them to serve both as data consumers and as intermediate caching nodes. This universality distributes the caching functionality across many existing devices rather than requiring specialized complex infrastructure, improving data transfer efficiency while avoiding significant increases in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by allowing intermediate nodes to automatically cache and manage data without requiring complex centralized control. Each node independently performs caching operations based on local conditions, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high data transfer efficiency through distributed intelligence.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for fetching a content from a web server to a client device is disclosed, using tunnel devices serving as intermediate devices. The client device accesses an acceleration server to receive a list of available tunnel devices. The requested content is partitioned into slices, and the client device sends a request for the slices to the available tunnel devices. The tunnel devices in turn fetch the slices from the data server, and send the slices to the client device, where the content is reconstructed from the received slices. A client device may also serve as a tunnel device, serving as an intermediate device to other client devices. Similarly, a tunnel device may also serve as a client device for fetching content from a data server. The selection of tunnel devices to be used by a client device may be in the acceleration server, in the client device, or in both. The partition into slices may be overlapping or non-overlapping, and the same slice (or the whole content) may be fetched via multiple tunnel devices.