Shared Gateway Time-Out Detection Using Flag Bits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for time-out detection in computer networks with shared interfaces face limitations, such as resource constraints and potential delays, when handling multiple concurrent requests, as they often require significant storage or suspend new requests until resources become available.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism using a gateway with flag bits and timers that alternate between states, allowing for independent time-out detection without suspending new requests, where each request packet includes a flag bit that increments a counter upon passage through the gateway, and a signal is generated when a predetermined time exceeds, enabling efficient time-out detection without resource bottlenecks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a watchdog timer is associated with each request to detect time-outs, then time-out detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual watchdog timers into a single shared timer resource. Instead of allocating separate timers to each request, the system uses one timer that is reused across multiple requests through state machine transitions. This consolidation reduces device complexity and resource consumption while maintaining time-out detection accuracy for concurrent requests.
Solution Approach 2:
The single timer is designed to serve multiple functions by tracking time-outs for different requests through different operational states. The timer becomes a universal resource that can monitor any active request by transitioning between states corresponding to different request contexts, eliminating the need for dedicated timers for each function.
2Device complexity
If all requests are bundled at the gateway until prior requests are received, then time-out detection is simplified, but productivity and response time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between operational states based on request status rather than statically bundling all requests. The state machine adapts its behavior in real-time, allowing new requests to be processed and tracked concurrently with existing ones. This dynamic approach maintains simplified time-out detection logic while enabling continuous request flow and improving productivity.
3Reliability
If storage resources are increased to defer requests at the gateway, then time-out detection capability is improved, but device complexity and resource requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the fundamental parameter from storing request data to tracking request state. Instead of using storage resources to hold deferred requests, the invention uses a state machine with numerical states to represent request status. This parameter change eliminates the need for large storage resources while maintaining reliable time-out detection capability through state transitions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method that includes activating and deactivating two counts between an active state and not an active state such that no more than one count at a time is in an active state. The method also includes receiving a request packet of information that requires a reply and incrementing the count that is in an active state, and setting a flag in the request packet of information that requires a reply, the flag being set to correspond to the count that is in the active state. The method further includes receiving a reply packet of information corresponding to a previously received request packet of information, the reply packet of information having a flag setting corresponding to the previously received request packet of information, and decrementing the count that corresponds to the flag setting of the reply packet of information. A network is also disclosed.