Segment Identifier Encoding for Network Routing Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The growing Internet poses challenges such as network latency and address allocation issues, with existing technologies struggling to efficiently manage the distinctions between names, addresses, and routes, particularly as the global IP address space becomes fully allocated.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize path-based protocol addresses to route data by generating segment identifiers that encode the path between nodes, allowing for efficient identification of next regions and improved routing within the current region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional IP addressing is used, then address allocation is simple, but the global IP address space becomes fully allocated and cannot support network growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the address space by introducing region-specific address spaces within the global IP addressing structure. Each region maintains its own address space that can be independently allocated and managed, allowing the network to expand beyond the limitations of a single global address space while maintaining hierarchical organization.
2Productivity
If path-based routing is implemented, then routing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the path information directly into the protocol address structure itself, eliminating the need for separate routing tables and complex routing mechanisms. The path-based address encoding allows nodes to determine routing paths through the address structure, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining high routing efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If region-specific address spaces are introduced, then address allocation flexibility improves, but the distinction between names, addresses, and routes becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal address structure that serves multiple functions simultaneously. The region-specific address spaces can represent both traditional destination addresses and path information, allowing the same address structure to perform routing, identification, and location functions without requiring separate mechanisms for names, addresses, and routes.
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, a method and apparatus are configured to receive information associated with a path from a first node to a second node; and generate a set of one or more segment identifiers at least one of which is in an address space having a span in a current region in which the first node resides, and is configured for use in identifying a next region, wherein the set of one or more segment identifiers encodes the path.