QoS Signaling via Security Parameter Index Field
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing QoS signaling in packet-switched networks consumes bandwidth, as it often requires a separate channel for transmission, which is not efficiently utilized, especially when combined with security-related information.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating QoS signaling into the transmission of security-related information, allowing the reuse of reserved bandwidth for security purposes, by utilizing the Security Parameter Index (SPI) field to convey QoS information, either with predetermined or dynamically allocated SPI values, ensuring compatibility and avoiding conflicts with existing reservations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate bandwidth is reserved for QoS signaling, then QoS information can be transmitted reliably, but available bandwidth for payload data is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges QoS signaling with security-related information transmission by utilizing the same communication channel and bandwidth. The Security Parameter Index (SPI) field, traditionally used only for security associations, is extended to carry both security identification and QoS class information, thereby eliminating the need for separate QoS signaling bandwidth while maintaining reliable transmission of both types of information
Solution Approach 2:
The SPI field is given multi-functionality to serve dual purposes: identifying security associations and indicating QoS service classes. This universal use of the same field for multiple functions allows the system to transmit both security and QoS information without requiring separate dedicated channels, thus preserving bandwidth for payload data
2Quantity of substance
If SPI field is used for both security and QoS signaling, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but complexity of information encoding increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the interpretation parameters of the SPI field by establishing a mapping relationship between SPI values and QoS service classes. Instead of using the SPI field solely for security identification, the system redefines its parameter space to include QoS class indications, allowing efficient dual-purpose signaling through standardized value assignments and mapping tables
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of implementing quality of service signaling in a packet-switched communication system (3), comprising selecting (A) a quality of service class from among a set of predetermined available classes, including (B) information identifying the selected class in a field of a packet (4), and transmitting (C) said packet (4) over the packet switched communication system (3). In order to save available bandwidth, the step of including (B) information identifying the selected class in a field of a packet (4) is carried out by including said information in a field reserved for transmitting security related information.