IPoC Gateway Protocol Translation for CCN Interoperability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The deployment of Content-Centric Networking (CCN) is hindered by the need to rewrite millions of existing IP-dependent applications and the added cost and complexity of supporting both IP and CCN protocols in routers.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an IP over CCN (IPoC) capability that is transparent to IP applications, using IPoC nodes with a processor for message conversion and caching, enabling IP packets to be encapsulated and forwarded over CCN, and vice versa, without altering the content object messages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all applications are rewritten to use CCN natively, then CCN deployment is achieved, but the cost and complexity of application migration becomes extremely high

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCCN deploymentVSAvoidapplication migration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an IPoC gateway as an intermediary component that sits between IP-based applications and the CCN infrastructure. This gateway performs protocol translation, converting IP packets into CCN interest messages and data packets, thereby enabling existing IP applications to communicate over CCN without modification. The gateway acts as a mediator that resolves the incompatibility between legacy IP applications and the new CCN network architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the network architecture into distinct functional layers: the application layer continues to use IP protocols unchanged, while the network layer transitions to CCN. The IPoC gateway forms a boundary layer between these two segments, handling protocol conversion. This segmentation allows the benefits of CCN to be realized in the network infrastructure without forcing changes throughout the entire system, particularly protecting the vast ecosystem of existing IP applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If routers support both IP and CCN protocols, then hybrid network functionality is achieved, but equipment cost and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehybrid network functionalityVSAvoidequipment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than requiring routers to support both IP and CCN protocols simultaneously (which would double the complexity), the patent introduces dedicated IPoC gateways as intermediary devices. These gateways handle all protocol conversion tasks, allowing standard CCN routers to operate purely with CCN protocols. This separates the complexity of dual-protocol support into specific gateway nodes rather than distributing it across the entire router infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the protocol conversion functionality from the core router architecture and places it in separate IPoC gateway devices. This extraction allows routers to be optimized for their native protocol (CCN) without the burden of maintaining dual protocol stacks. The gateway becomes a specialized component that handles the complexity of interoperability, while the rest of the network can be simplified and optimized for the new protocol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If IP packets are encapsulated and forwarded over CCN, then seamless communication is achieved, but message conversion overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseamless communicationVSAvoidmessage conversion overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The IPoC gateway performs protocol conversion in advance, translating IP packets into CCN interest messages before they enter the CCN infrastructure. By pre-processing the conversion at the gateway rather than at each network node, the system eliminates repeated conversion operations and reduces overall latency. The gateway establishes the appropriate CCN message format and routing information upfront, allowing efficient forwarding through the rest of the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous forwarding paths once the initial conversion is complete. The CCN network maintains active interest messages and data packet flows without requiring repeated protocol conversions. In-network caching and persistent routing states allow the useful action of data transmission to continue uninterrupted through the CCN infrastructure, minimizing the frequency and impact of conversion operations to only the gateway boundary points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS10547702B2Internet protocol over a content-centric network (IPoC)

Publication Date: 2020.01.28 CABLE TELEVISION LAB INC

AI summary

Internet Protocol (IP) over a content/name/information centric network is contemplated, such as for devices, software or other entities lacking capabilities sufficient to natively support content/name/information centric networking and/or the related messaging protocols and requirements. The contemplated IP over content/name/information centric networking may be facilitated with encapsulation and decapsulation of IP packets when forwarded over a content/name/information centric network as well as attendant processing and protocols created to facilitate the operation thereof.