Network Node Redundancy via Sequence Number Segmentation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing message processing systems fail to effectively handle redundant messages originating from the same node with different IP addresses, leading to inefficiencies and challenges in network health assessment and packet sequencing.

Innovation Solution

A node configured with a processor and memory that assigns and compares sequence numbers and originator identifiers to packets, discarding redundant packets and delivering new ones to the application layer, while also assessing network health through multicasting and timestamping, and using dual network interface circuits to transmit redundant messages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If redundant messages are transmitted through multiple network paths for fault tolerance, then network reliability is improved, but network traffic complexity and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork traffic complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network communication by introducing distinct sequence number spaces for each network path. Each path (e.g., Path 1, Path 2) maintains independent sequence numbering, allowing the receiving node to track and process redundant messages from different paths without confusion. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by organizing complex redundant traffic into manageable, distinguishable segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism at the receiving node that uses sequence numbers and originator identifiers to mediate between redundant incoming messages and the application layer. This intermediary filters and manages redundant traffic, preventing overwhelming complexity from propagating to the application while maintaining reliability benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If sequence numbers are used to filter redundant packets, then processing efficiency is improved, but additional header overhead is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidheader overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into the sequence number field: it simultaneously provides redundant message filtering, path identification, and ordering guarantees. By combining these functions into a single field rather than using separate mechanisms, the patent reduces overall header overhead while maintaining processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sequence number field serves multiple purposes: identifying redundant messages, tracking path-specific message flows, and ensuring proper ordering. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional header fields, thereby minimizing overhead while achieving efficient processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If packets from multiple paths are received and processed, then fault tolerance is improved, but difficulty in assessing network health increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault toleranceVSAvoidnetwork health assessment difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the receiving node monitors sequence numbers from multiple paths and can detect path failures or anomalies. By tracking whether expected sequence numbers are received from each path, the system provides feedback about network health status, making it easier to assess and respond to path-specific issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses sequence numbers as distinctive identifiers that effectively 'color-code' packets from different paths. This allows the receiving node to easily distinguish and monitor traffic from each path independently, simplifying health assessment by making path-specific traffic patterns visible and trackable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUS9787610B2Active multi-path network redundancy with performance monitoring

Publication Date: 2017.10.10 AEROVIRONMENT INC

AI summary

A receiving network node (210) configured to select from received packets differing by time of initial transmission from a sending network node (230), and accepting for transmission, based on initial transmission time, the selected packets to an application layer (740). An internetworked processor node configured to: (a) read a sequence number and an originator identifier of a received packet message (810); (b) compare a stored highest sequence number associated with the originator identifier with the received packet sequence number (820); (c) if the received packet sequence number is less than or equal to the stored highest sequence number associated with the originator identifier, then discard (840) the received packet; and (d) if the received packet sequence number is greater than the stored highest sequence number associated with the originator identifier, then deliver (860) the message of the received packet to an application based on an upper layer protocol.