Router TCP Flow Acceleration via Priority-Based Resource Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low-end routers with limited CPU processing power and memory, as well as low-bandwidth links, restrict the number of concurrent TCP sessions and performance, necessitating a method to selectively enhance traffic flows based on available resources.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a router with acceleration logic that determines available resources and selectively accelerates traffic flows by prioritizing sessions using TCP Performance Enhancing Proxies (PEPs) or compression techniques, such as TCP window scaling, buffering, and IP compression, managed through access control lists (ACLs) to allocate resources effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If TCP sessions are implemented on low-end routers with limited CPU processing power and memory, then the router can handle basic routing functions, but the number of concurrent traffic flows is limited and performance is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external server as an intermediary to perform TCP session processing functions. The low-end router redirects TCP sessions to this external server which has sufficient computing resources. This mediator handles the resource-intensive TCP processing while the router maintains routing control, resolving the contradiction between limited router resources and need for high concurrency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves TCP session processing from the router dimension to an external server dimension. By distributing the processing load across different system dimensions (router for routing, external server for TCP processing), the system achieves high concurrency without requiring the router to have high processing power.
2Productivity
If TCP sessions are implemented on low-bandwidth links, then basic communication is possible, but the performance of the link and individual traffic flows is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The external server performs preliminary TCP processing and optimization before data transmission over the low-bandwidth link. By pre-processing TCP sessions, optimizing packet sequences, and preparing data for transmission, the system maximizes the utilization of limited bandwidth and improves overall link performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes TCP parameter configurations dynamically based on link conditions. The external server adjusts TCP window sizes, timeout values, and other parameters to optimize performance for low-bandwidth links, thereby improving data transmission efficiency without requiring higher physical bandwidth.
3Productivity
If acceleration logic is implemented to enhance traffic flows, then performance of individual traffic flows is improved, but resource consumption of the router increases
Solution Approach 1:
The external server acts as a mediator that performs acceleration and enhancement functions externally. The router only performs lightweight redirection to the external server, avoiding the need to consume its limited CPU resources for intensive acceleration tasks, thus improving traffic flow performance without significantly increasing router energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
In an example embodiment, a method for selective performance enhancement of traffic flows, such as a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) flow, on devices where enhancement of a limited number of concurrent flows is supported, or where a limited number of TCP accelerated or IP (Internet Protocol) compressed flows are supported. Flows are selected to be enhanced, accelerated or compressed based on configured priorities, including but not limited to type of the flow, importance of the flow, and availability of resources to enhance, accelerate or compress the flow. For example, a high-priority TCP session is accelerated for the lifetime of the session, while a low-priority TCP session is accelerated while there are available resources for the low-priority flow.