Encapsulated Packet Tunnel Header for Context Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional load balancing techniques do not support preserving system contextual information in packet flows and addressing multiple endpoints on a single Internet Protocol (IP) destination.
Innovation Solution
The system encapsulates network packets with a tunnel header containing network identifier information, addresses the outer IP header with a corresponding IP address, and forwards the packets to the appropriate network function, enabling the preservation of system contextual information and addressing multiple endpoints on a single IP destination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional load balancing techniques are used, then packet forwarding is simple, but system contextual information is lost and multiple endpoints cannot be addressed on a single IP destination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies encapsulation where an outer IP header is nested around the original packet structure. The tunnel header contains the original packet's contextual information (L2/L3 headers, VLAN tags, QoS markings) while the outer IP header provides the destination address. This nested structure preserves all original packet context through the encapsulation boundary, enabling advanced load balancing and multi-endpoint addressing without losing system contextual information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimensional layer to packet processing by introducing tunneling headers that operate at a higher abstraction level than traditional IP routing. Instead of processing only the original packet's L2/L3 headers, the system adds contextual dimensions through the tunnel header structure, enabling identification and routing based on multiple attributes simultaneously (original destination, source, protocol, port numbers, VLAN information).
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional load balancing is used, then the system is simple to implement, but additional system context information cannot be provided in packet flow
Solution Approach 1:
The tunnel header structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it preserves original packet context, provides load balancing information, enables multi-endpoint addressing, and maintains QoS characteristics. By designing a universal encapsulation format that can handle various packet types and scenarios, the system achieves high adaptability without requiring separate processing mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the packet structure into distinct functional layers: the outer IP header for routing, the tunnel header for contextual information preservation, and the original packet for payload data. This segmentation allows each layer to be processed independently and optimized for its specific function, making the complex packet structure manageable and easier to implement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional packet forwarding is used, then processing is fast and simple, but multiple endpoints on a single IP destination cannot be addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-establishing mapping tables that associate outer IP addresses with multiple inner destination addresses and their corresponding contextual information. When a packet arrives, the system quickly looks up the outer IP address in the mapping table to determine the correct inner destination, avoiding complex real-time analysis and enabling fast forwarding to multiple endpoints simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a computing system includes a communication interface; and a processor that is coupled to the communication interface. In some embodiments, least one of the communication interface or the processor receives a network packet from the network via a network adapter port; encapsulates the received network packet with a tunnel header, wherein the tunnel header comprises network identifier information identifying the network adapter port; addresses, based on the network identifier information, an outer Internet protocol (IP) header of the encapsulated network packet with an outer IP address corresponding to a network function in a first computing device; and sends the encapsulated network packet toward the network function identified by the outer IP address.