Priority-Based Flow Rule Cache for Network Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional virtual switch implementations are not suitable for fast processing of high priority and mission-critical network traffic due to the lack of priority-based classification, leading to increased latency and inefficient memory accesses for high priority packets.
Innovation Solution
A network device and controller system that prioritizes flow rules based on packet priority, storing high-priority rules in cache memory and lower-priority rules in a database, with the network controller determining persistency settings and transmitting rules accordingly to optimize processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional virtual switch implementations are used without priority-based classification, then device complexity is reduced, but processing speed and latency performance deteriorate for high priority traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing priority-based classification that treats different traffic flows differently based on their priority levels. High priority traffic receives preferential treatment with dedicated cache memory allocation and expedited processing, while lower priority traffic follows standard processing paths. This localized optimization for critical traffic paths improves overall processing speed without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the flow rule storage into multiple priority-based cache levels (e.g., high priority cache, medium priority cache, low priority cache). This segmentation allows the system to quickly retrieve and process high priority flow rules from dedicated cache regions while maintaining comprehensive rule storage. The segmented approach enables parallel processing of different priority traffic without mutual interference, improving throughput and reducing latency for mission-critical applications.
2Productivity
If priority-based flow rule classification is implemented, then processing efficiency for high priority packets is improved, but memory access complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-classifying and pre-positioning flow rules into priority-based cache memory regions before they are needed for packet processing. When a new flow rule is installed, the system determines its priority level and places it in the appropriate cache region in advance. This preliminary organization eliminates the need for complex real-time memory access decisions during packet forwarding, as the priority-based structure is already established.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a priority classification intermediary layer between the flow rule database and the packet processing engine. This intermediary component automatically determines the priority level of incoming flow rules and routes them to appropriate cache memory regions. By inserting this intermediary classification layer, the system simplifies memory access patterns during high-speed packet processing, as the classification decision is made once during rule installation rather than repeatedly during packet forwarding.
3Speed
If all flow rules are stored in cache memory, then processing speed is improved, but memory resource utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allocating memory resources differently based on traffic priority requirements. High priority flow rules are guaranteed dedicated cache memory space to ensure fast access and consistent performance for mission-critical applications. Lower priority flow rules utilize remaining cache resources or slower storage tiers. This differentiated memory allocation ensures that memory resources are not wasted on storing low-priority rules that do not require fast access, while simultaneously guaranteeing sufficient memory for high-priority rules that demand rapid processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, apparatus, method, and non-transitory computer readable medium for providing smart cache control for mission-critical and high-priority traffic flows may include a network device which is caused to, extract attributes from a network packet, determine whether to request a new flow rule from a network controller for the network packet based on the extracted attributes, transmit a new flow rule request to the network controller based on results of the determining, the new flow rule request including the extracted attributes, receive the new flow rule from the network controller in response to the new flow rule request, and store the new flow rule in at least one cache memory based on priority information of the new flow rule.