Session Template Based IP Packet Forwarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems experience increased time delays and reduced connection rates when forwarding IP packets, as they require forwarding packets to the control plane for session entry creation, especially when session entries are missing, leading to inefficiencies in data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes session and session template tables, where processors generate and store session entries based on IP packets and template entries, reducing the need for control plane intervention for packets with similar fields, thereby optimizing data plane operations and enhancing connection rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the data plane processor forwards IP packets to the control plane processor for session entry creation when session entries are missing, then session entries can be created and stored in the session table, but the time required to forward IP packets increases and the connection rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the session entry creation process into two parts: common session parameters are extracted and stored as templates in the data plane, while only packet-specific parameters (like source port) are processed dynamically. This segmentation allows most session entries to be created quickly using templates without control plane intervention, improving connection rate while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-extracting and storing common session parameters (destination IP, destination port, protocol, timeout, next hop) as templates in the data plane before packets arrive. When packets arrive, only minimal additional processing is needed to create complete session entries, eliminating the need for full control plane processing and reducing forwarding time.
2Reliability
If the data plane processor scans the session table for each incoming IP packet to find matching session entries, then packets can be forwarded based on existing sessions, but the processing time increases when session entries are missing and control plane intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-computing and storing session templates with all common parameters before packets arrive. This allows the data plane processor to quickly match packets against templates and generate session entries locally without time-consuming control plane communication, reducing packet forwarding time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the data plane processor to self-generate session entries using stored templates and packet-specific parameters without requiring control plane intervention. This self-service capability allows rapid session entry creation and packet forwarding, reducing time loss while ensuring accurate matching through the template comparison mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system creates a new session entry for each unique IP packet, then each packet can be processed individually with full control, but the number of session table entries increases and system resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple similar session entries into a single template by extracting common parameters (destination IP, destination port, protocol, timeout, next hop) that are shared across multiple packets. This consolidation reduces the number of session table entries from potentially thousands of individual packet entries to a manageable number of templates, while still providing flexible packet processing through template matching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal session templates that can serve multiple packets with different source ports but identical destination characteristics. Each template acts as a universal pattern that matches multiple specific packets, reducing the quantity of session table entries while maintaining the adaptability to process various packets individually through the matching mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for creating a session entry and forwarding an IP packet includes memories that store session and session template tables, and first and second processors in communication with the memories. When the first processor receives the IP packet, it determines whether the session table includes a session entry corresponding to the IP packet. If the session table does not include the session entry, the first processor determines whether the session template table includes a session template entry corresponding to the IP packet. The first processor generates the session entry using the session template entry and the IP packet. If the session template table does not include the session template entry, the first processor forwards the IP packet to the second processor, which generates the session template entry and the session entry.