Session Active Checker for Parallel Packet Processor

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network testing systems face challenges in processing packets from multiple sessions concurrently without errors, leading to potential misordering and loss of data due to concurrent processing of packets from the same session by different processors, which can result in inefficient resource utilization and increased memory requirements.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a session active checker that identifies the session of received packets and prevents concurrent processing by determining if another packet from the same session is being processed, using a filter, session ID extractor, comparator, and packet forwarding logic to manage packet processing and ensure sequential processing within each session.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple processors process packets concurrently to improve throughput, then productivity increases, but packet processing accuracy deteriorates due to concurrent processing of packets from the same session

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket processing throughputVSAvoidpacket processing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A session active checker is introduced as an intermediary component between packet reception and processing. This checker monitors which sessions are currently being processed and prevents concurrent processing of packets from the same session, thereby maintaining packet processing accuracy while allowing multiple processors to operate simultaneously on different sessions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts packet routing based on real-time session processing status. The session active checker continuously updates information about which sessions are actively being processed, and this dynamic information is used to direct subsequent packets to appropriate processors, preventing concurrent processing conflicts while maximizing throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If session tracking memory is increased to prevent concurrent processing errors, then packet processing reliability improves, but device complexity and memory requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket processing accuracyVSAvoidmemory requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The session tracking functionality is segmented into a dedicated session active checker component rather than being distributed across all processors. This segmentation allows for a compact, specialized memory structure within the checker that tracks session status efficiently, reducing overall memory requirements while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of maintaining full session state information across multiple processors, the system uses a simplified copy or representation of session status in the session active checker. This copied status information is sufficient for preventing concurrent processing conflicts without requiring the complete session data that would increase memory requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If packets are processed in strict sequential order within each session, then packet processing accuracy improves, but productivity decreases due to underutilization of multiple processors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket processing accuracyVSAvoidprocessor utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically routes packets to processors based on real-time session processing status rather than using a fixed sequential assignment. The session active checker provides dynamic information about which processors are available for which sessions, enabling flexible packet distribution that maintains sequential processing integrity within sessions while maximizing overall processor utilization across multiple sessions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Each processor is designed to be universal and capable of processing any session, rather than being dedicated to a specific session. The session active checker coordinates which processor handles which session at any given time, allowing processors to be dynamically assigned to different sessions based on availability, thereby improving utilization while maintaining processing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2282478B1Parallel packet processor with session active checker

Publication Date: 2016.09.21 IXIA

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

There are disclosed an apparatus (220), process, and computer readable storage media for processing received packets. The apparatus may include a plurality of packet processors (232A-232N). A session active checker (225) may identify a session associated with a first received packet and may determine if any other packet belonging to the identified session is currently being processed by any of the plurality of packet processors (232A-232N). The first received packet may be sent to a selected one of the plurality of packet processors (232A-232N) when no other packets belonging to the identified session are currently being processed.