Packet Switch Tagging and Table Lookup for Unified Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packet switch devices require multiple models and techniques to configure different network monitoring requirements, leading to increased costs, time consumption, and operational inefficiencies due to their lack of flexibility and simplicity in implementing port-pairing and pass-all configurations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for packet processing that involves tagging packets with multiple identifications and using tables to determine output ports, allowing for logical operations to identify suitable ports for packet forwarding, thereby enabling unified configurations for various network monitoring requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple models and techniques are used to configure different network monitoring requirements, then the packet switch device can handle various monitoring scenarios, but the device complexity and configuration time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a unified packet filtering model that can handle multiple network monitoring requirements (port-pairing, pass-all configurations, and standard packet filtering) through a single configuration approach. The system uses a common set of filtering rules and table lookups that work across all monitoring scenarios, eliminating the need for separate models and techniques for different monitoring needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the packet filtering process into distinct functional components: packet tagging with identifiers, table lookup operations for matching identifiers to filtering rules, and logical operation application to determine output ports. This segmentation allows the system to handle diverse monitoring requirements through a modular, reusable framework rather than requiring entirely different configurations for each scenario.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple models and techniques are used to configure packet switch devices, then different network monitoring scenarios can be supported, but development and quality assurance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing a single unified filtering model that handles all network monitoring scenarios through common code paths and configuration mechanisms, the patent reduces development complexity and quality assurance burden. The same packet tagging, table lookup, and logical operation infrastructure serves all monitoring needs, eliminating the need to develop and test separate models for different scenarios.
3Ease of operation
If traditional packet switching methods are used, then packets can be forwarded based on destination IP address, but port-pairing and pass-all configurations cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces packet tagging as an intermediary mechanism between the simple destination-based forwarding and the more complex port-pairing or pass-all requirements. By adding identification tags to packets and using table lookups to match these tags with appropriate output port configurations, the system extends basic forwarding functionality to support advanced monitoring scenarios without complicating the core forwarding process.
4Reliability
If different models are used for different network monitoring requirements, then specific scenarios can be optimized, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The unified filtering model uses a single operational framework with packet tagging, table lookup, and logical operation that works efficiently across all network monitoring scenarios. This eliminates the operational overhead of switching between different models and techniques, improving operational efficiency while maintaining the ability to handle diverse monitoring requirements through the same streamlined process.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of packet processing includes receiving a packet at one of a plurality of network ports at a switch device, tagging the packet with a first identification, tagging the packet with a second identification, using a first table to determine a first set of output port identifications based at least in part on the first identification, using a second table to determine a second set of output port identifications based at least in part on the second identification, and performing a logical operation using the first set of output port identifications and the second set of output port identifications to identify one or more of a plurality of output ports at the switch device.