Packet Prioritization via Segmented Sequence Numbers

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Solution Overview

Problem

In networks using aggregated logical connections, packets with higher priority are delayed due to sorting requirements, leading to inefficiencies in transmission order and increased latency, especially when global sequence numbers are not sequential.

Innovation Solution

Implementing priority queues and sequence numbers within encapsulating packets to ensure packets with higher priority are transmitted earlier, using a global sequence number and priority sequence number embedded in the packets, allowing the receiving device to prioritize and order packets correctly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If packets are sorted using global sequence numbers at the receiving network device, then packet order is maintained, but transmission delay increases especially for high-priority packets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket orderVSAvoidtransmission delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the single global sequence number into two separate sequence numbers: a global sequence number for ordering packets across all logical network connections, and a per-connection sequence number for tracking packets within individual connections. This segmentation allows the receiving device to maintain packet order without requiring strict sequential processing of all packets, thereby reducing transmission delay while preserving order integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different quality levels of service to different packet types by introducing priority fields that allow high-priority packets to bypass standard sorting procedures. The receiving device can locally prioritize packets based on their priority field values, allowing expedited transmission for critical packets without disrupting the overall packet order maintenance mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Speed

If high-priority packets are transmitted earlier without strict sorting, then transmission speed improves, but packet order accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission speedVSAvoidpacket order accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the sequencing mechanism into global and per-connection sequence numbers, the system enables flexible packet transmission ordering. The global sequence number ensures overall packet order accuracy, while the per-connection sequence number allows high-priority packets to be transmitted earlier within their respective connections without compromising global order integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The priority field mechanism allows the system to apply different transmission qualities to different packets. High-priority packets receive expedited transmission treatment locally at the receiving device, while maintaining global order accuracy through the coordinated action of both sequence numbers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a single queue is used for receiving packets, then device complexity is reduced, but packet prioritization capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequeue structureVSAvoidpacket prioritization capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the packet processing function into multiple independent sequence number tracking mechanisms rather than using multiple physical queues. This logical segmentation allows the system to maintain prioritization capability through software-based sequence number comparison while keeping the physical queue structure simple and unified.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The single queue structure serves multiple functions: it receives packets, tracks their global sequence numbers, tracks their per-connection sequence numbers, and enables prioritization through priority fields. This multi-functionality is achieved through software processing rather than separate hardware queues, maintaining simplicity while enabling advanced packet management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9369398B2Method, device, and system to prioritize encapsulating packets in a plurality of logical network connections

Publication Date: 2016.06.14 PISMO LABS TECH

AI summary

Methods, network devices, and systems which transmit and receive packets with priority by receiving a packet via one of the plurality of network interfaces; determining a global sequence number and a priority level of the packet; storing the packet; encapsulating the packet in encapsulating packets; transmitting the encapsulating packets via a plurality of logical network connections to the second network device according to the global sequence number and the priority level; receiving the encapsulating packets; decapsulating the packet from the encapsulating packets; and transmitting the packet to the intended receiver according to the global sequence number and the priority level.