Propagating Network Timestamps to Application Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-layer communication models like the OSI model, higher layers are unable to access information from lower layer headers, leading to the loss of valuable data such as network-layer timestamps during data propagation, which affects the precision of data reception timing and ordering.
Innovation Solution
Propagating lower layer data, including network-layer timestamps, upward through the network protocol stack using in-band or out-of-band methods, allowing higher layers to access and utilize this information, thereby reconstructing the order and timing of data receipt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If lower layer headers are discarded during data propagation in multi-layer communication models, then device complexity is reduced and processing efficiency is improved, but information from lower layers is lost and higher layers cannot access valuable data such as network-layer timestamps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data propagation process into two distinct paths: the standard protocol stack processing path that maintains efficiency by discarding headers, and a separate metadata extraction path that captures lower layer header information. This segmentation allows information preservation without complicating the main processing flow, as the metadata extraction operates independently alongside the standard protocol handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a metadata extraction mechanism as an intermediary between lower and upper layers. This intermediary captures header information from lower layers and makes it available to higher layers without requiring direct access to lower layer processing, thus preserving information while maintaining the strict layering principle and avoiding protocol stack complexity.
2Measurement precision
If network-layer timestamps are made accessible to the application layer, then measurement precision of data reception timing is improved, but the strict layering principle of the OSI model is violated and protocol stack complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The metadata extraction mechanism serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between network layer timestamps and application layer needs without violating strict layering. The intermediary extracts timestamp information from network layer headers and delivers it to the application layer through a controlled interface, preserving measurement precision while maintaining protocol stack integrity and avoiding direct layer violations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts specific metadata fields (such as timestamps) from lower layer headers separately from the main data propagation flow. This extraction allows the application layer to access precise timing information without requiring access to the entire lower layer header structure, thus improving measurement precision while minimizing protocol stack complexity through selective information retrieval.
3Loss of information
If lower layer header data is propagated upward through the protocol stack, then information availability to higher layers is improved, but processing overhead increases and data propagation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the specific metadata fields needed by higher layers (such as timestamps and QoS values) from lower layer headers, rather than propagating entire header structures upward. This selective extraction minimizes the amount of data that needs to be processed and transmitted through upper layers, thus improving information accessibility while maintaining data propagation efficiency and avoiding excessive processing overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The metadata extraction mechanism performs partial propagation of lower layer information—only extracting and transmitting the specific fields that higher layers require. This partial action approach ensures that sufficient information is available to higher layers for their processing needs while avoiding the excessive overhead of propagating complete header data, thus balancing information availability with data propagation speed.
Data Source
AI summary
Computer-readable media, systems and methods may propagate lower layer data, in headers that would otherwise be deleted, to upper layers in a network protocol stack that uses a multi-layer communication model. For example, high precision network-level timestamps that indicate a time that binary data is received at a network switch may be propagated upward for online application-level processing. Network switches may ordinarily insert network-level timestamps in frame headers that are ordinarily removed prior to propagation upward. The network-level timestamps may be propagated via in-band propagation or out-of-band propagation.