Packet Transfer Control Using Segmented Comparators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional packet transfer controlling apparatuses face challenges in achieving both high-speed access control with various and complex patterns while maintaining a reduction in circuitry size, as existing technologies either restrict comparison targets and combinations or increase circuitry size to accommodate diverse comparisons.
Innovation Solution
A packet transfer controlling apparatus that includes a code storage unit, selecting units, and a rule searching unit, which allows for efficient comparison and rule matching by storing associations of codes and classifications, enabling high-speed processing and reducing circuitry size through the use of selectors and comparators that output ternary values and perform logical AND operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the FF circuit type is used to achieve access control with various and complex patterns, then the comparison targets and combinations are not restricted, but the number of comparators and storage unit increase, preventing reduction in circuitry size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the access control function into multiple comparing units, each responsible for comparing specific packet information against stored rules. This segmentation allows the system to handle complex patterns while keeping each individual comparing unit simple and compact, thus achieving versatility without proportional increase in overall circuitry size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the comparison process by organizing comparing units in stages. The first comparing unit performs initial pattern matching, and subsequent comparing units perform additional comparisons based on the results. This dimensional organization allows complex access control to be achieved through layered processing rather than requiring all comparisons to occur simultaneously in a single large circuit.
2Device complexity
If the CAM type is used to reduce circuitry size, then the comparison targets and combinations are restricted by memory width, but high-speed access control is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the access control function into multiple comparing units that can be configured to handle different comparison targets and patterns. Each comparing unit operates independently with its own rule storage, allowing the system to achieve complex pattern matching capabilities while keeping each unit compact in size, thus resolving the contradiction between circuitry size and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic configuration of comparing units where the second comparing unit can be selectively activated or deactivated based on the comparison results from the first comparing unit. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt its complexity level to match the specific access control requirements, achieving versatility without always requiring the full circuitry capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A packet transfer controlling apparatus stores, for each of a plurality of comparators, a plurality of associations of a code and a classification to be compared by the comparator when specification of the code is accepted. Also, each selector sets information that belongs to a classification stored in association with the accepted code as information to be selected from the packet. Then, each selector selects the set information when an input of a packet is accepted. Then, each comparator outputs a comparison result indicating whether the information selected by the selector and a comparison value match each other. Next, when the comparison result is output from every comparator, a rule searching unit conducts a search to see which rule the packet is relevant to among a plurality of rules, and then outputs a rule number.