Packet Pre-Processor for NLFP IPv6 Routing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Non-programmable packet forwarding processors (NLFPs) lack flexibility and programmability, making it difficult to implement advanced functionalities like Layer 3 routing and IPv6 support, requiring expensive network processors despite their low cost and high performance.
Innovation Solution
A packet pre-processor (PP) device is introduced to pre-process data packets, enabling NLFPs to perform functions beyond their conventional capabilities by modifying packets to accommodate new features such as IPv6 routing, VPNs, and network address translation, allowing for scalable and diverse functions without the need for programmable processors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If non-programmable packet forwarding processors (NLFPs) are used for mass production, then cost is reduced and forwarding performance is improved, but flexibility and programmability are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two functional segments: a pre-processor that handles packet manipulation and modification, and the NLFP that handles high-speed forwarding. This segmentation allows the NLFP to remain simple and mass-producible while the pre-processor provides the necessary flexibility for advanced functionalities.
Solution Approach 2:
A pre-processor acts as an intermediary between the input interface and the NLFP. It modifies packets to enable advanced functionalities (Layer 3 routing, IPv6, VPNs) before packets reach the NLFP, allowing the NLFP to maintain its simple, mass-producible architecture while the system as a whole gains enhanced capabilities.
2Productivity
If NLFPs are optimized for Layer 2 switching, then forwarding performance is improved, but Layer 3 routing functionality is difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-processor performs preliminary actions on packets before they reach the NLFP. It extracts Layer 3 information, performs address translations, and modifies packets to enable the NLFP to handle Layer 3 routing and IPv6 functionalities while maintaining optimized Layer 2 switching performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If expensive network processors are used to provide advanced functionalities, then flexibility and programmability are improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using expensive programmable network processors, the system uses a pre-processor to copy and manipulate packet data in ways that enable advanced functionalities. The pre-processor creates modified packet representations that the simple NLFP can process, achieving advanced capabilities without the cost of programmable hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
A packet preprocessing device is used in conjunction with a non-programmable packet forwarding processor (NLFP) to apply a different system function to received data packets than the function normally applied by the NLFP on the packets. Received data packets are pre-processed (e.g., modifying, manipulating, altering, spoofing, etc.) in order to enable, or cause, NLFPs that process the data packets to provide, in effect, a system-level behavior on the packets that is different from the system-level behavior for which the NLFP is/was conventionally designed. The data packet is “pre-processed” to change or manipulate the data packet, and then the NLFP processes the pre-processed data packet in accordance with its conventional function(s) which alters the overall function applied to the data packet.