Multiplexed Packet Prioritization to Prevent HOL Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data packet transmission protocols suffer from Head-of-Line (HOL) blocking, where high-priority packets are delayed due to low-priority packets, leading to inefficient CPU usage and queue formation, especially in multiplexed encrypted channels.

Innovation Solution

Implementing separate cryptographic channels for high-priority and low-priority data packets, allowing prioritized processing before encryption/decryption, and routing based on predefined policies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If data packets are transmitted in multiplexed sessions without prioritization, then network resource utilization is improved, but call setup success rate deteriorates due to non-important packets consuming bandwidth needed for important packets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork resource utilizationVSAvoidcall setup success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments data packets into different priority categories (important and non-important packets) based on their significance to call setup. This segmentation allows the system to apply different handling rules to different packet types, ensuring that important packets receive prioritized treatment while non-important packets do not compromise call setup success rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different quality of service (QoS) treatments to different portions of data traffic based on local characteristics. Specifically, important packets associated with call setup are granted high priority status and guaranteed bandwidth allocation, while non-important packets receive lower priority treatment. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by ensuring critical packets succeed while maintaining overall network utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If bandwidth is guaranteed for important packets, then call setup success rate is improved, but network resource utilization deteriorates due to wasted bandwidth when no important packets are pending

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecall setup success rateVSAvoidnetwork resource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation where the guaranteed bandwidth for important packets is activated only when such packets are actually present in the transmission queue. When no important packets are pending, the bandwidth is dynamically released or shared with non-important packets, preventing waste while maintaining reliability when needed. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between guaranteed bandwidth and resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the bandwidth allocation parameter dynamically based on the presence or absence of important packets. When important packets are detected, the system switches to a high-priority allocation mode with guaranteed bandwidth. When no important packets are present, the system transitions to a lower-priority mode that maximizes resource utilization. This parameter change strategy allows the system to adapt to varying traffic conditions and resolve the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4360281B1Data packet prioritization in multiplexed sessions
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP4360281B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4360281B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4360281B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of defining priority of a number of data packets within a queue includes generating a policy. The policy defines a first multiplexed channel of a plurality of multiplexed channels. The first multiplexed channel having a first priority. The policy also defines a second multiplexed channel of the plurality of multiplexed channels. The second multiplexed channel having a second priority. The first priority is defined as being of a higher priority relative to the second priority. The method further includes receiving the number of data packets over the plurality of multiplexed channels associated with a session based at least in part on the policy.