MAP-T Network Service Differentiation with Stateless IPv6 Classification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network service providers face scalability and efficiency challenges in tracking differentiated network service levels due to the need for millions of classifiers and stateful services, which are costly and inefficient as user numbers increase.
Innovation Solution
Implementing MAP-T technology to provide differentiated network services by using service-specific IPv6 network prefixes and mapping rules, allowing for stateless translation and classification of traffic based on service-specific IPv6 prefixes, eliminating the need for per-subscriber or per-connection criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If per-device or per-user service level tracking is implemented in the downlink direction, then service differentiation is achieved, but system complexity and costs increase exponentially due to requiring millions of classifiers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments service level tracking into two directions: uplink tracking by access devices using device-type classifiers, and downlink tracking by border relays using service-level classifiers. This segmentation avoids the need for millions of classifiers at access devices while maintaining service differentiation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces border relays as intermediary devices between access devices and the service provider network. Border relays perform the complex service level tracking and packet classification in the downlink direction, acting as a mediator that offloads this functionality from access devices and enables efficient service differentiation without requiring millions of classifiers at each access device.
2Reliability
If stateful service tracking is implemented for increasing numbers of users, then service level monitoring is achieved, but operational costs and inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the stateful service tracking functionality from access devices and relocates it to border relays. This extraction allows access devices to operate with simpler stateless classification while border relays handle the complex stateful tracking, improving overall operational efficiency while maintaining reliable service level monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dimensional approach to service tracking by moving from a centralized stateful model at access devices to a distributed model where state information is maintained at border relays. This dimensional shift in where state information is stored and processed improves scalability and operational efficiency as user numbers increase.
3Quantity of substance
If IPv4 address space is exhausted, then network expansion is limited, but transitioning to new addressing schemes is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the addressing parameter from IPv4 to IPv6 by introducing service-specific IPv6 prefixes at border relays. This parameter change enables the network to accommodate increasing numbers of users and devices while maintaining service differentiation through the use of IPv6's larger address space and hierarchical structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for providing differentiated network services using Mapping of Address and Port using translation (MAP-T) technology are described. A method includes provisioning a service specific IPv6 network prefix and a service specific basic mapping rule to an access device, the service specific IPv6 network prefix associated with a differentiated network service level, provisioning a service specific mapping rule to a border relay, identifying by the access device service packets associated with the differentiated network service level, translating by the access device the identified service packets to the service specific IPv6 network prefix using the service specific basic mapping rule to generate service specific packets, forwarding the service specific packets to the border relay via a service provider network, translating return packets to service specific return packets using the service specific mapping rule, and forwarding the service specific return packets to the access device.