IP Content Router Classifying ICN Packets for Efficient Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current Internet Protocol (IP) forwarding is sender-oriented and inefficient, leading to issues like content re-fetching, network overload, and high operational costs, as it does not support content multicasting or mobility, and existing solutions like Content Distribution Networks (CDN) and Information-Centric Networking (ICN) require significant capital and operational expenses or involve replacing IP protocol stacks.
Innovation Solution
The development of an IP content router that classifies packets as either traditional IP packets or Information-Centric Networking (ICN) packets, allowing for additional processing such as caching and content multicasting, while operating within existing IP networks with minimal upgrades, enabling PULL-driven content delivery and mobility support without replacing existing IP protocol stacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If IP forwarding is used based on host-to-host communication, then network compatibility is maintained, but content delivery efficiency deteriorates due to lack of content multicasting support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the packet processing function into two distinct paths: a classification stage that identifies ICN packets using marker bits, and separate processing stages for ICN packets versus traditional IP packets. This segmentation allows ICN functionality to be added without complicating the core IP forwarding logic, resolving the contradiction between content delivery efficiency and protocol complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary classification mechanism that sits between the network layer and application layer. This intermediary uses marker bits in IP headers to identify ICN packets and routes them to appropriate handling logic, enabling content-centric networking without replacing the existing IP protocol stack, thus maintaining compatibility while improving content delivery efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If CDN is implemented as an overlay over IP, then content distribution capability is improved, but capital expense and operational expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the IP router multi-functional by enabling it to handle both traditional IP packets and ICN packets through a unified classification and processing framework. This eliminates the need for separate CDN infrastructure, allowing existing routers to provide content distribution capabilities without additional capital expense or operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables routers to automatically classify and handle ICN packets using marker bits embedded in the packet headers. This self-service mechanism allows the network infrastructure to provide content distribution capabilities without requiring external CDN overlay management, reducing both CAPEX and OPEX while maintaining content distribution capability.
3Productivity
If ICN protocol is introduced to support content multicasting, then content delivery efficiency is improved, but network compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using marker bits specifically in ICN packets to distinguish them from traditional IP packets. This localized marking approach allows ICN processing to be applied only where needed (to marked packets) while leaving unmarked packets to follow standard IP forwarding paths, thereby maintaining network compatibility while improving content delivery efficiency for ICN traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic packet classification based on marker bits that can be set or cleared depending on the packet type. This dynamic approach allows the network to adaptively route packets differently based on their content-centric nature, improving content delivery efficiency for ICN packets while maintaining standard IP compatibility for traditional traffic, thus resolving the compatibility contradiction.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An internet protocol (IP) content router, comprising a forwarding information base (FIB) engine comprising a data store comprising forwarding instructions, an IP packet classifier comprising a processor configured to classify a first incoming IP packet as an information centric networking (ICN) packet and a second incoming IP packet as a non-ICN packet, and an IP packet processor comprising a processor, wherein the IP packet processor is coupled to the FIB engine and to the IP packet classifier, wherein the IP packet processor is configured to intercept the ICN packet for further ICN processing in the IP content router, consult the FIB engine for forwarding instructions for the non-ICN packet, and forward the non-ICN packet according to the forwarding instructions.