Multi-Path Traffic Management via IP Address Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traffic management of multi-path data flows is challenging because current packet inspection techniques cannot identify data flows belonging to the same multi-path connection or even the same device, leading to potential connection interruptions and failures.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the allocation of distinct IP addresses to different interfaces of a client device for data communications over multiple paths, with these IP addresses being associated and sent to an aggregating device for aggregating the sub-flows and providing aggregated data to a destination device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple IP addresses are allocated to different interfaces for multi-path communication, then traffic management and flow identification are improved, but device complexity and address management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (DHCP server or network controller) that manages IP address allocation and maintains the mapping between multiple IP addresses and their corresponding interfaces. This intermediary handles the complexity of multi-path traffic management centrally, rather than requiring each client device to manage its own multi-IP configuration, thus improving connection reliability while keeping client device complexity low.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network communication by allocating distinct IP addresses to different network interfaces (e.g., WiFi, cellular, Ethernet). Each IP address is associated with a specific interface and path, allowing independent management and identification of traffic flows. This segmentation enables reliable multi-path communication by ensuring that each path can be independently controlled and monitored.
2Productivity
If current packet inspection techniques are used, then network traffic can be monitored, but multi-path data flows cannot be identified or aggregated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing the association between multiple IP addresses and their corresponding network interfaces during the IP address allocation phase. The DHCP server or network controller maintains this mapping information before data transmission begins. When packets are transmitted, the associatio n information is already in place, allowing the aggregating device to immediately identify and aggregate multi-path flows without requiring complex real-time inspection or analysis of packet contents.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system is disclosed for traffic management in data networks. A first operation comprises allocating a first IP address to a first interface of a client device for data communications using a first sub-flow over a first path. Another operation comprises allocating a second IP address to a second interface of the client device for data communications using a second sub-flow over a second, different path, the second IP address being associated with the first IP address. Another operation comprises sending information relating to the allocated first and second IP addresses for the client device to an aggregating device for aggregating the first and second sub-flows, when received from the client device, for providing aggregated data to a destination device.