Packet Forwarding via Path Redundancy and Duplicate Discarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packet transmission methods in networks are unreliable due to network link instability and congestion, leading to potential packet loss and poor reliability in data delivery.
Innovation Solution
A method where a first network device replicates a packet to generate multiple second packets with unique path information, forwarding them over different paths to ensure delivery, with only the first received packet being stored and others discarded, enhancing reliability through path redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If packets are transmitted through a single network path, then the transmission process is simple and efficient, but the reliability is poor due to potential packet loss from network instability or link interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single packet transmission into multiple segments by replicating the packet and sending copies through different network paths. The source device generates multiple copies of the same packet, each traversing a distinct path to the destination, thereby segmenting the transmission risk across multiple independent routes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple copies of the original packet to be transmitted simultaneously through different paths. Each copy contains the same payload data but may have different sequence numbers, allowing the destination to receive at least one valid copy even if some paths fail, thus improving reliability through redundancy.
2Reliability
If multiple packet copies are transmitted over different paths, then the transmission reliability improves, but the packet processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the destination device sends acknowledgments back to the source device for received packets. The source device uses this feedback to determine whether retransmission is necessary, allowing the system to adapt to actual network conditions and avoid unnecessary processing of already-delivered packets.
Solution Approach 2:
The destination device discards duplicate packets by comparing sequence numbers, keeping only the first valid copy of each packet. This discarding mechanism prevents processing redundancy while ensuring that at least one complete copy is received and processed, balancing reliability with operational simplicity.
3Productivity
If duplicate packets are discarded at the destination, then the processing efficiency improves, but the risk of losing the only valid packet increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-numbering packet copies with sequence numbers before transmission. This preliminary labeling allows the destination device to efficiently identify and process only the first valid copy of each packet while discarding duplicates, ensuring both processing efficiency and reliability through pre-established identification mechanisms.
Data Source
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Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for forwarding a packet, and a network device. The method includes: receiving, by a first network device, a first packet, where the first packet includes first indication information, payload data, and a packet sequence number of the first packet in a data flow corresponding to the first packet; when the first network device determines that the first packet includes the first indication information, generating, by the first network device, a plurality of second packets based on the first packet, where each of the plurality of second packets includes the payload data, the packet sequence number, and second indication information; and separately forwarding, by the first network device, the plurality of second packets to a second network device over different forwarding paths in a plurality of forwarding paths, where the second indication information is used to instruct the second network device to discard a packet in the plurality of second packets except a packet that first reaches the second network device. According to the embodiments of the present invention, reliability of packet forwarding can be improved.