IP Header Network Identification for Dedicated Data Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data packet routing in telecommunications networks lacks efficient mechanisms for ensuring high data security and optimized routing within specific geographic or service provider networks, leading to potential delays and security vulnerabilities.

Innovation Solution

A method that adds network identification information to data packets, allowing dedicated routing within a target network, ensuring high data security by routing data packets exclusively within the target network or globally, using up to 7 bits of information in the IP header to specify routing options such as European cloud or national routing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data packets are routed via arbitrary network routes in the IP telecommunications network, then routing flexibility is maintained, but data security and control over routing paths are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoidrouting control mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network routing control by introducing a dedicated Network Identification Information (NII) field in the IP header that separates global routing decisions from local routing decisions. This allows the network to be divided into manageable segments (global vs. local routing domains) while maintaining overall security control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring routing policies and rules in the routing controller before data packets are transmitted. The NII field is pre-defined with specific bit patterns that correspond to predetermined routing behaviors, allowing rapid routing decisions without real-time complex calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If network identification information is added to data packets for dedicated routing, then routing precision and security are improved, but packet header size and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting precisionVSAvoidpacket header structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the NII field optional and context-dependent. The field is only added when dedicated routing is required, allowing standard IP packets to maintain their original simple header structure while specialized packets gain enhanced routing capabilities. This localized enhancement avoids universal complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes by defining the NII field with specific bit-length parameters (e.g., 7 bits or more) that can be adjusted based on the required routing precision. The field can represent different network identifiers (country code, service provider, enterprise network) with varying levels of specificity, allowing flexible parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If data packets are routed exclusively within the destination network, then data security is enhanced, but routing adaptability and global network utilization are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoidrouting adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the routing behavior adaptive based on the NII field content and pre-configured policies. The routing controller dynamically selects between dedicated routing (within destination network) and global routing (arbitrary network routes) based on the packet's NII field and current network conditions, allowing flexible adaptation to different security requirements and network states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent achieves universality by designing the NII field and routing controller to handle multiple routing scenarios through a single unified mechanism. The same NII field structure and routing controller architecture support various routing modes (dedicated, global, hybrid) and different network types (service provider networks, enterprise networks, national networks), providing multi-functional capability without requiring separate systems for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2928127B1Method and telecommunication network for optimising the routing of a data packet, computer program and a computer program product
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP2928127B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2928127B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP2928127B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

A method for optimizing the routing of a data packet in a telecommunications network is proposed, wherein a sending device and a receiving device are connected to the telecommunications network, the telecommunications network comprising several subnetworks, wherein in a first method step the data packet is transmitted from the sending device to the telecommunications network, wherein in a second method step network identification information is added to the data packet to identify a destination network by the telecommunications network, wherein the destination network is a subnetwork of the several subnetworks of the telecommunications network associated with the receiving device, wherein in a third method step, depending on the network identification information, the telecommunications network performs dedicated routing of the data packet within the destination network.