Internal QoS Profile for Expanded Service Levels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network devices are limited to 64 service levels for Quality of Service (QoS) handling, which is insufficient for applications requiring more granular control over packet header modifications and service levels, and cannot preserve external QoS attributes throughout the network.
Innovation Solution
The method involves forming an internal QoS Profile with M+N bits, where M and N are internally assigned, and using a QoS Precedence indicator to prevent modification of external QoS attributes, allowing for increased service levels and controlled QoS modifications within the network device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional switches map external QoS attributes to internal DSCP values using fixed-size fields (3-bit User Priority or 6-bit DSCP), then the packet processing is simple and fast, but the number of service levels is limited to 64 classes and network administrators cannot control which QoS fields are modified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the QoS marking mechanism into external QoS attributes (from packet headers) and internal QoS attributes (device-internal representation). The external attributes are preserved as-is while internal attributes provide the extended service level identification, allowing 64+ service levels without modifying the external QoS field structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension by adding an internal QoS attribute layer that exists separately from the external QoS attributes in packet headers. This internal layer can represent more service levels (beyond 64) while the external layer maintains compatibility with standard protocols. The mapping between external and internal attributes enables extended service level support without breaking existing QoS field constraints.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional switches automatically map external QoS attributes to internal DSCP values, then packet processing is automated and fast, but network administrators lose control over which QoS fields in the packet header are modified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by establishing configurable mapping rules between external and internal QoS attributes before packet processing begins. Network administrators can pre-configure which external QoS fields should be preserved, modified, or mapped to internal attributes. This preliminary configuration enables both administrative control and efficient automated processing during actual packet flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the QoS marking mechanism dynamic by allowing different mapping behaviors for different external QoS fields. Instead of a fixed automatic mapping, the system can dynamically choose to preserve certain external QoS attributes while mapping others to internal attributes, based on administrator-configurable policies. This dynamic approach balances control flexibility with processing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A network device adapted to process data packet traffic over a telecommunication network. The network device includes an ingress pipeline adapted to receive a data packet at a port of the network device. According to embodiments of the present invention, the data packet is characterized by an external QoS attribute having M bits. The network device also includes a processor adapted to form an internal QoS Profile associated with the data packet. The internal QoS Profile includes a QoS Profile Index having M+N bits and M and N are internally assigned. The processor is also adapted to process the data packet through the network device.