Multipath TCP Proxy for Dynamic Network Function Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for network functions that terminate TCP connections cannot feasibly add or remove network functions from the connection path during ongoing client-server sessions without causing connection stalls due to mismatched sequence or port numbers, leading to inefficient resource utilization and disrupted data transfer.
Innovation Solution
A method involving two proxies to terminate the TCP connection and establish a multipath connection-oriented session, allowing for the insertion or removal of network functions by creating new multipath subflows that traverse or avoid the network function, ensuring seamless traffic redirection and maintaining connection integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a network function is dynamically added or removed from a TCP connection path during ongoing sessions, then resource utilization is improved and connection flexibility is enhanced, but sequence number mismatches occur causing connection stalls
Solution Approach 1:
The TCP connection is segmented into multiple subflows, each independently managed. When a network function needs to be added or removed, only the affected subflow is modified while other subflows continue operating, preventing complete connection stall and enabling dynamic reconfiguration without disrupting the entire connection
Solution Approach 2:
A proxy server acts as an intermediary between the client and server, managing the multipath connection and subflow routing. The proxy intercepts and processes packets, maintaining sequence number consistency and coordinating network function insertion/removal operations, thereby preventing sequence mismatches and connection stalls
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional TCP termination techniques are used to add/remove network functions, then network function flexibility is improved, but data transfer continuity is disrupted due to sequence number mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The multipath TCP connection maintains continuous data transfer by establishing multiple parallel subflows. When a network function is added or removed, the system dynamically routes traffic through alternative subflows, ensuring that data transfer continues without interruption and maintaining productivity throughout the reconfiguration process
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the connection path and subflow routing based on real-time network conditions and network function requirements. Subflows can be dynamically created, modified, or terminated without affecting the overall connection, enabling flexible network function configuration while maintaining continuous data transfer
Data Source
AI summary
A network function modification method, system, and computer program product, include terminating the connection-oriented session between a client and a server via at least two proxies, running a multipath connection-oriented session between the at least two proxies, if an insertion request is received, establishing a first multipath subflow with the new multipath subflow traversing the network function of the insertion request, and if a removal request is received, establishing a second multipath subflow with the new multipath subflow not traversing the network function of the removal request.