Network Packet Priority Management via Filter Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network devices struggle to ensure timely processing of packets for time-sensitive applications due to scheduling algorithms that do not account for timing requirements, leading to potential delays and unfairness in expedited processing among multiple applications.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a filter-based system where network devices register filters associated with applications, manage a count to ensure fairness, and selectively expedite packet processing based on a threshold, ensuring packets are processed in accordance with timing requirements while preventing over-utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If scheduling algorithms are used to manage packet processing, then resource allocation and throughput are improved, but timing requirements for time-sensitive applications are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts process priority based on real-time packet characteristics and timing requirements. Filters are dynamically created or modified to match specific packet patterns, and process priorities are adjusted on-the-fly without requiring system reconfiguration, enabling adaptive response to time-sensitive applications while maintaining overall system throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing qualities to different packets by creating filters with specific match criteria. Each filter can be associated with a process that has customized timing parameters and priority levels, allowing time-sensitive packets to receive expedited processing while standard packets continue normal processing, thus addressing timing requirements locally without compromising overall system productivity.
2Speed
If expedited processing is provided to time-sensitive applications, then packet processing speed is improved, but fairness among multiple applications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where filter match counts are monitored and used to adjust processing decisions. When a filter's match count reaches a threshold, the system can modify behavior to prevent starvation of other applications, ensuring that expedited processing is granted fairly based on accumulated need rather than continuously to the same application, thus maintaining fairness while enabling speed improvements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows applications to accumulate filter match counts that represent their need for expedited processing. Rather than immediately expediting every matching packet, the system allows counts to build up and compares them against thresholds, providing expedited processing in partial amounts based on accumulated need. This prevents any single application from monopolizing expedited resources while still providing speed improvements to time-sensitive traffic.
3Reliability
If filters are created for each application to enable expedited processing, then timing requirements are met, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal filter matching framework that can handle multiple applications and packet types through a common set of filter structures and processing mechanisms. Rather than requiring separate dedicated processing paths for each application, the system uses universal filter templates that can be instantiated and configured for different applications, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to meet diverse timing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments filter management into independent, manageable components where each filter operates autonomously with its own match counting and threshold comparison logic. This segmentation allows filters to be created, modified, and removed independently without affecting other filters, reducing the complexity burden of managing multiple application-specific filters while ensuring reliable timing requirement satisfaction for each.
4Device complexity
If standard scheduling is used for all packets, then system simplicity is maintained, but response time for time-sensitive applications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring filters with match criteria and associating them with appropriate processes before packets arrive. Filter match counts are maintained and thresholds are pre-established, so when time-sensitive packets arrive, the system can immediately determine whether expedited processing is needed without complex real-time analysis, thus improving response time while keeping the scheduling system relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A device may receive a packet associated with an application. The device may identify a filter associated with the application. The device may determine that information associated with the packet matches information associated with the filter. The device may compare a count, associated with the filter, and an expediting threshold associated with expediting processing of the packet based on determining that the information associated with the packet matches the information associated with the filter. The device may selectively expedite processing of the packet based on comparing the count and the expediting threshold.