Packet Sequence Synchronization for Deterministic Flow Replication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies lack a reasonable solution for achieving deterministic flow-based sequence numbering in wide area networks, particularly when implementing Packet Replication Elimination and Ordering Functions (PREOF) requirements.
Innovation Solution
A data packet transmission method and network device are introduced, utilizing a master control unit and multiple output interface units to synchronize sequence numbers across slave and master output interface units, ensuring consistent sequence numbering through a synchronization process involving information synchronization packets, sequence number registers, and distance registers to maintain sequence number consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple output interface units process data packets concurrently, then processing throughput is improved, but sequence number consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A master control unit is introduced as an intermediary to coordinate sequence number management among multiple output interface units. The master control unit receives information synchronization packets, determines target sequence numbers, and distributes them to slave output interface units, ensuring consistent sequencing across parallel processing paths while maintaining high throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides output interface units into master and slave roles, with the master control unit handling sequence number determination and slave units executing packet transmission. This segmentation allows concurrent processing by multiple slave units while centralizing sequence number management to maintain consistency
2Speed
If sequence numbers are generated independently at each output interface unit, then processing speed is improved, but sequence number continuity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The master control unit pre-determines target sequence numbers for data packets before they are transmitted by slave output interface units. By calculating sequence numbers in advance based on information synchronization packets and flow identifiers, the system ensures continuous sequencing without requiring real-time coordination during high-speed transmission
3Manufacturing precision
If a centralized sequence number management system is implemented, then sequence number consistency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The master control unit performs multiple functions: receiving information synchronization packets, determining target sequence numbers, managing distance registers, and coordinating slave output interface units. This multi-functionality consolidates control logic into a single component, maintaining sequence number consistency without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a data packet transmission method and a network device. The method includes: sending, by the master control unit, an information synchronization packet to a master output interface unit and a target slave output interface unit; after receiving the information synchronization packet, writing, by the master output interface unit, a master sequence number into a master synchronization sequence number register; after receiving the information synchronization packet, writing, by the target slave output interface unit, a salve sequence number into a slave synchronization sequence number register; reading, by the master control unit, the master sequence number and the slave sequence number, and writing a target difference between the master sequence number and the slave sequence number into a distance register corresponding to the flow identifier of the target slave output interface unit; based on a start sequence number corresponding to the flow identifier and the target difference in the distance register, adding, by the target slave output interface unit, a target sequence number to a data packet corresponding to the flow identifier and sending a modified data packet. In the technical solutions of the present disclosure, it is guaranteed that the sequence number of the data packet of the master output interface unit is consistent with the sequence number of the data packet of the slave output interface unit.