Router QoS Token Retention for Packet Reordering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional queuing systems in networks face issues with packet reordering when a packet's Quality of Service (QoS) class is altered, leading to complex and costly handling, especially in network technologies where out-of-order packets indicate packet loss and congestion, and are even prohibited in some cases.
Innovation Solution
The queuing method involves marking altered packets with indicators of their old and new QoS classes, allowing them to be queued in their original class while allocating a proxy packet in the new class, ensuring that head-of-line packets are serviced accordingly to maintain proper ordering without reordering packets within the same flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If packets are promoted or demoted between QoS classes in traditional queuing systems, then service efficiency is improved, but packet reordering occurs which causes complexity and potential packet loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a token as an intermediary mechanism to manage QoS class transitions. When a packet is promoted or demoted, a token is created to represent the packet's original QoS class position. This token acts as a mediator that tracks the packet's movement between queues without requiring actual packet reordering, thus maintaining service efficiency while avoiding the complexity of reordering operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a token copy that represents the original packet's QoS class information. Instead of physically reordering packets between queues, the system creates and manipulates token copies to track QoS class changes. This copying approach allows the system to maintain efficient QoS-based scheduling while avoiding the harmful effects of actual packet reordering.
2Loss of time
If packets are reordered to service higher precedence clients first, then waiting time for high precedence clients is reduced, but out-of-order packets indicate loss and congestion in network protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The token serves as an intermediary that decouples the QoS scheduling mechanism from actual packet reordering. High precedence packets can be serviced first based on their current QoS class, while the token tracks the original ordering information. This allows the system to reduce waiting time for high precedence clients without causing the reliability issues associated with out-of-order packet delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the packet handling process into two independent components: the actual packet data flow and the token tracking flow. This segmentation allows QoS-based prioritization to operate independently on packets while the token maintains separate records of original ordering, thus enabling fast service for high precedence packets without compromising delivery reliability.
3Productivity
If QoS class alteration is implemented dynamically, then bandwidth utilization efficiency is improved, but packet sequence integrity within the same flow is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates token copies that preserve the original packet sequence information while allowing dynamic QoS class alterations. When packets are promoted or demoted to improve bandwidth utilization, the token copies maintain records of the original sequencing. This copying mechanism enables dynamic QoS adjustments without compromising packet sequence integrity within the same flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The token acts as an intermediary layer between the dynamic QoS classification mechanism and the packet sequence requirements. It allows the system to dynamically alter QoS classes for efficient bandwidth utilization while the token maintains and enforces the original packet sequence integrity, preventing reordering issues.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a router (e.g., intermediate router) and a method that queues and services an upgraded/downgraded packet and a plurality of other packets all of which are part of a flow in a manner that eliminates the reordering of the packets. In one embodiment, the router and method queues and services the packets by handing-off a token from an upgraded/downgraded packet to a head-of-line packet which is forwarded to a downstream router. In another embodiment, the router and method queues and services the packets without handing-off a token from an upgraded/downgraded packet to a head-of-line packet which is forwarded to a downstream router.