IPoE Subscriber Identifier Mapping for Network Service Optimization

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network processors handle IPoE subscriber network packets on a per-IP-address basis, leading to inefficient use of hardware resources and increased computational complexity due to replicated network services for each IP address.

Innovation Solution

Implement a method to map multiple IP addresses to an IPoE subscriber identifier, allowing network services to be applied on a per-IPoE-subscriber basis rather than per-IP-address, thereby reducing hardware resource usage and computational complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network processors handle IPoE subscriber network packets on a per-IP-address basis, then network services can be applied to each IP address individually, but hardware resource usage increases and computational complexity increases due to replicated network services for each IP address

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork service applicationVSAvoidhardware resource usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple IP address-based network service instances into a single subscriber-based network service instance. By mapping multiple IP addresses to a single subscriber identifier, the system combines replicated services into one unified service application, reducing hardware resource usage while maintaining the ability to apply network services to all associated IP addresses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal network service application that can handle multiple IP addresses through a single subscriber identifier. This multi-functional approach allows one network service instance to serve multiple IP addresses, eliminating the need for separate service instances for each IP address and thereby reducing hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If network processors handle IPoE subscriber network packets on a per-IP-address basis, then network services can be applied to each IP address individually, but computational complexity increases due to replicated network services for each IP address

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork service applicationVSAvoidcomputational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple IP address-based network service instances into a single subscriber-based network service instance. By mapping multiple IP addresses to a single subscriber identifier, the system combines replicated services into one unified service application, reducing hardware resource usage while maintaining the ability to apply network services to all associated IP addresses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal network service application that can handle multiple IP addresses through a single subscriber identifier. This multi-functional approach allows one network service instance to serve multiple IP addresses, eliminating the need for separate service instances for each IP address and thereby reducing hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple IP addresses are assigned to an IPoE subscriber, then the subscriber can access network services through multiple addresses, but network processors must replicate network services for each IP address leading to inefficient hardware resource usage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubscriber network accessVSAvoidhardware resource usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a subscriber identifier as an intermediary that maps to multiple IP addresses. This intermediary mechanism allows the network processor to maintain a single network service instance while still providing access to multiple IP addresses, eliminating the need for service replication and reducing hardware resource usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple IP address-based network service instances into a single subscriber-based network service instance. By mapping multiple IP addresses to a single subscriber identifier, the system combines replicated services into one unified service application, reducing hardware resource usage while maintaining the ability to apply network services to all associated IP addresses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12323385B2Mapping internet protocol (IP) addresses to IP over ethernet subscriber identifiers

Publication Date: 2025.06.03 JUNIPER NETWORKS INC

AI summary

In some implementations, a network device may receive one or more indications of one or more internet protocol (IP) addresses. The network device may determine that the one or more IP addresses are associated with an IP over Ethernet (IPoE) subscriber. The network device may generate, based at least in part on determining that the one or more IP addresses are associated with the IPoE subscriber, a mapping of the one or more IP addresses to an identifier of the IPoE subscriber. The network device may receive a network packet associated with at least one IP address of the one or more IP addresses. The network device may perform, based at least in part on the mapping of the one or more IP addresses to the identifier of the IPoE subscriber, a network service associated with the network packet on a per-IPoE-subscriber basis.