Parent Network Device Promiscuous Detection and Intercepted Forwarding

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Solution Overview

Problem

In deterministic networks like Low power and Lossy Networks (LLNs), resource-constrained devices face high power consumption due to the need for hop-by-hop data packet transmission, which reduces battery life and increases latency.

Innovation Solution

A parent network device in a tree-based topology can promiscuously detect data packets and initiate intercepted forwarding, allowing it to receive and forward packets on behalf of child devices, thereby reducing the need for child devices to transmit packets to the parent, thus minimizing power consumption and optimizing packet paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hop-by-hop data packet transmission is used in tree-based network topology, then data packets can be reliably delivered through child network devices, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata packet delivery reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The parent network device performs promiscuous detection to preliminarily identify data packets destined for its child devices before the child devices transmit them. This preliminary action allows the parent device to intercept and forward packets directly, preventing child devices from consuming power to transmit packets they don't need to send.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The parent network device acts as an intermediary by intercepting data packets at the grandchild-to-child transmission stage and forwarding them directly to the destination. This intermediary role eliminates the need for child devices to act as relays, reducing their power consumption while maintaining reliable delivery through the parent device's forwarding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If hop-by-hop data packet transmission is used in tree-based network topology, then data packets can be reliably delivered through child network devices, but transmission latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata packet delivery reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The parent network device skips the intermediate transmission step by directly forwarding intercepted packets from the grandchild device to the destination. This skipping mechanism eliminates unnecessary hop-by-hop transmission delays, reducing overall latency while maintaining reliable delivery through the established tree topology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Use of energy by moving object

If promiscuous detection and intercepted forwarding is implemented by parent network device, then power consumption is reduced and battery life is extended, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidparent device functionality complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The parent network device leverages its existing multi-functional role in the tree topology, combining its regular routing functions with promiscuous detection and intercepted forwarding capabilities. This universal approach allows the parent device to handle multiple tasks (detection, interception, forwarding, and normal routing) without requiring completely separate systems, thus managing complexity while achieving energy savings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The parent network device performs self-service by autonomously detecting packets destined for its children and automatically forwarding them without requiring additional intervention or complex coordination protocols. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for complex inter-device communication and control logic, managing complexity while enabling the intercepted forwarding functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10244525B2Promiscuous detection and intercepted forwarding by parent network device in a storing-mode tree-based network

Publication Date: 2019.03.26 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

In one embodiment, a method comprises: promiscuously detecting, by a parent network device in a tree-based network topology, a data packet transmitted to a child network device attached to the parent network device, the data packet transmitted by a grandchild network device attached to the child network device; determining, by the parent network device, whether the data packet transmitted to the child network device is to be forwarded toward a destination via the parent network device; and the parent network device selectively initiating intercepted forwarding of the data packet toward the destination, on behalf of the child network device, based on determining that the data packet is to be forwarded toward the destination via the parent network device.